By Subham Singh, Senior Correspondent
Subham Singh is a law-and-order reporter with over a decade of experience covering cross-border security and immigration issues in South Asia.
Key Takeaways
- Who? 47-year-old Bara Fauji Hamid Al Bayati, Iraqi national from Baghdad.
- What? Arrested at the Maitri Bridge checkpoint for attempting to enter Bihar without a valid visa.
- When? Late Saturday night, June 22, 2025.
- Where? Indo-Nepal border near Raxaul, East Champaran, Bihar.
- Why it matters: Highlights rising concerns over illegal cross-border infiltration via Nepal.
Suspicious Crossing at Maitri Bridge
Late on June 22, Haraiya Police Station’s SHO, Kishan Kumar Paswan, detained an Iraqi national identified as Bara Fauji Hamid Al Bayati during routine immigration checks at the Maitri Bridge checkpoint near Raxaul town.
“He was apprehended for trying to enter Indian territory without valid documents,” said East Champaran SP Swarn Prabhat. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Following interrogation, Al Bayati was produced before a local court and remanded to Motihari Central Jail under provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946. Investigators found he held no Indian visa and had travelled alone from Nepal.
Motives Under Scrutiny
Al Bayati, who claims to be a mechanical engineer with two prior legal visits to India, displayed “no fear or hesitation” when confronted, according to police sources. Central security agencies have launched a probe into:
- Purpose of visit: He did not disclose why he sought unauthorized entry.
- Possible links: Since April 24, nine foreign nationals—including citizens of the U.S., China, Canada, South Korea, and Iraq—have been intercepted entering through Raxaul without valid papers; some suspected of extremist ties timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Rising Border Infiltration
Security experts warn that the porous India–Nepal frontier at Raxaul is increasingly exploited:
- SSB interceptions: Regular sweeps by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) since April have thwarted several illicit crossings.
- Smuggler networks: Informants suggest organized groups guiding foreigners via Nepal for reasons ranging from overstay to espionage.
“A coordinated, multilayered approach is critical to secure this vulnerable stretch,” says Dr. Isha Mehra, security analyst at the Observer Research Foundation.
Fact-Check
| Claim | Source/Verification |
|---|---|
| Nine foreign nationals detained since April 24 at Raxaul | Official SSB & Haraiya Police data timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
| Al Bayati’s identity and age | Court records, East Champaran Police |
| No valid visa or travel documents | Foreigners Act, 1946; SP Swarn Prabhat statement |
No contradictory reports have emerged. All data derived from primary law-enforcement statements and court filings.
What Happens Next?
- Judicial hearing: Al Bayati’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 25, 2025.
- Security review: The Bihar Home Department will convene a task force on July 1 to reassess border-security protocols.
- Community alert: Local residents urged to report suspicious movements near border posts.
