Pune Rural Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Ranjangaon Police have arrested 21 Bangladeshi nationals for residing illegally in the Ranjangaon Industrial Estate area on Nagar Road.

The arrested individuals were found in possession of forged residency documents, raising suspicions about their illegal entry and stay in India. Following their arrest, the court has ordered that they remain in police custody until October 24 for further investigation.

The operation was initiated after Assistant Sub-Inspector Vishal Gawhane received intelligence about a group of Bangladeshi nationals living near Karegaon in the Ranjangaon Industrial Estate.

A joint team from the Local Crime Branch and Ranjangaon Police conducted a search operation and discovered that the individuals were staying in rented rooms in the area. Among those arrested were 15 men, 4 women, and 2 transgender individuals.

Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Pune Rural Police, stated, "The arrested individuals were found with forged voter ID cards and other residency documents. We are investigating how they obtained these documents and who provided them. The individuals were living under false identities and had illegally crossed the border into India."

This incident comes after previous actions against illegal immigrants in the region, and the police have stepped up their efforts to curb the presence of unauthorized foreign nationals in the district.

The arrested individuals face charges of illegal residency under the Foreigners Act, and further interrogation is expected to reveal more details about their illegal entry and connections within the country.