In a sign of growing bonhomie between Bangladesh Rifles and the Border Security Force, nine criminals, including three militants, were handed over to India, a move which was reciprocated by New Delhi [Images] by handing over four wanted criminals to Dhaka.

"The BDR has handed over nine criminals to us and we have handed over four Bangladeshi criminals to them," Director General of BSF A K Mitra told PTI in New Delhi on the sidelines of a function.

Three militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland and a truck driver, who recently completed their jail term in Bangladesh, were handed over to the BSF by the BDR at Dalu border post in the West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya last month.

The exchange of other criminals between the two border guarding forces took place in West Bengal and Tripura sectors. Among those who were handed over Khorang Mushahary, Deben Mushahary and Sanjay Das are of NDFB. The truck driver was identified as Parmeshwar Chouhan.

"The exchange of criminals between the BSF and BDR has taken place after several rounds of talks between the two sides over a period," Mitra said.

Security sources said, in June, Bangladesh had handed over three United Achik National Front (UANF) militants and an NDFB cadre to Meghalaya Police. The UANF militants had reportedly confessed their involvement in a bomb blast in Tura market two years back and in the kidnapping of a businessman Rajib Sharma.

There have been many instances in the past when BDR has 'handed over' or 'pushed back' Indian militants, but this was done 'silently' without any publicity.

The BSF has already given to BDR a long list of criminals who were wanted in India for different crimes. The names in the list include ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua and chairman of the outfit, Arabinda Rajkhow. Both are believed to have been hiding in Dhaka.

India has also been pressing for the handing over of ULFA general secretary Anup Cheta, currently lodged in a Bangladeshi jail.

A similar list of wanted criminals of Bangladesh was also handed over by BDR to BSF some time back.