UAE National Arrested at India-Nepal Border for Illegal Crossing

Joint Forces Apprehend UAE National at Raxaul Border

A national of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was apprehended on Saturday evening by a joint operation of Indian and Nepalese security forces while attempting to illegally cross the India-Nepal border near Raxaul. The individual has been identified as Salem Abdullah Khalfan Alshamshi, 34, a resident of Abu Dhabi, UAE. He was reportedly accompanied by an Indian broker during the attempted illicit entry.

Details of the Arrest and Accused

The arrest took place at Mahdewa, near border pillar 389/9, as Alshamshi and his accomplice attempted to cross from India towards Balirampur in Nepal. The operation was carried out by patrol teams from India's Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), specifically the 47th battalion, and the Nepalese Armed Forces (NAF). According to immigration sources, Alshamshi was carrying UAE passport number AA 0498168.

Investigations revealed that Alshamshi had arrived in India on March 8, 2025, on a tourist visa that had expired on August 29, 2025. During questioning, he stated, 'My father's name is Abdullah Khalfan Alshamshi and my mother's name is Afra. I have been visiting India frequently for tourism and exploring new business opportunities.' He also mentioned staying at a hotel in Raxaul with an associate from his café in Abu Dhabi and claimed that 'one person met me at Raxaul and promised to take me to Nepal and complete all border formalities.' The Indian broker, identified as Anwar from Sitamarhi district, was also arrested for facilitating the illegal crossing and was found to possess dual Indian and Nepalese citizenship documents.

Legal Proceedings and Broader Context

Following their apprehension, Alshamshi and his accomplice were handed over to immigration officials at Raxaul and subsequently taken to Patna for further interrogation and legal action. A case has been registered against Alshamshi under The Foreigners Act, 1946. Abhishek Kumar, SHO of Raxaul police station, confirmed the registration of the case.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing the porous India-Nepal border, which is a known route for illegal crossings. Immigration sources indicate that this is not an isolated event; in the past four months, 11 foreigners from various countries, including China, the UK, and the USA, have been arrested at the Raxaul border for similar attempts to illegally enter India or Nepal. Security forces from both nations frequently conduct joint patrols to curb such illicit activities.