Bosnia and Herzegovina Border Police Intensify Activities Regarding Illegal Migrations in Velika Kladuša and Izačić Areas

(Patria) - Since the beginning of the year, members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Border Police have deterred more than 4,200 individuals from attempting to illegally cross the state border. The largest number of illegal migrants were detected outside border crossings, i.e., in the border zone, and recently there has been increasing migratory pressure in the areas covered by the Border Police units of Velika Kladuša and Izačić.

During the implementation of activities, more than 400 foreign nationals were apprehended attempting to illegally cross the state border in the last three days alone, with the majority originating from Morocco, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh, and others.

The largest number of individuals apprehended for illegal crossing, after processing, were accommodated in the LIPA reception migrant center in Bihać, while vulnerable categories of persons (women, children, minors) are accommodated in the Borići camp.

Specialized units of the Border Police are assisting members of the Border Police units in Velika Kladuša and Izačić in carrying out intensified activities aimed at preventing illegal border crossings, intercepting migrant routes, and detecting and prosecuting individuals involved in migrant smuggling. The Director of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Border Police, Mirko Kuprešaković, emphasizes that complex measures and actions are being undertaken on the ground, where migratory pressure is highest, utilizing all available material and technical resources for border protection.

“Although the human resources of the BiH Border Police are limited, Border Police officers are professionally and successfully carrying out activities to prevent illegal migrations, and at locations where the highest number of illegal migrations have been recorded, Border Police officers from other units have been deployed,” said Director Kuprešaković.

During the intensified activities in the areas of Velika Kladuša and Izačić, officers from the Service for Foreigners' Affairs – Bihać Field Center, as well as humanitarian organizations IOM and CWS, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton are providing support to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Border Police. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Border Police continues to work continuously on activities related to illegal migrations, investing maximum effort and all available resources in protecting the state border.