New Delhi, Dec. 22 -- A Border Security Force (BSF) constable, who inadvertently crossed into Bangladesh while attempting to foil a cattle smuggling bid along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, was safely returned to India by Sunday afternoon, officials said on Monday.

The constable, identified as Ved Prakash of the BSF's 174th Battalion, crossed the international boundary early Sunday during an operation against cattle smugglers.

Senior BSF officials clarified that the incident occurred amid dense fog, which severely reduced visibility in the border area during the early morning hours.

According to officials, the constable was part of a routine patrol and operational drill when he got separated from his...