Mishu Biswas, an Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Bangladesh Police has laid claims to be the first policeman to cross the Bangla Channel - a swimming path on the Bay of Bengal.

The civil service official crossed the 16.1 km Bangla Channel, stretching from Teknaf fisheries Jetty to Saint Martin's Island, for the first time.

43 swimmers achieved the challenging feat of crossing the Bangla Channel on Monday, said Lipton Sarkar, organiser of the annual event.  

This year marked the 15th edition of the event, and a 13-year-old boy called Rabbi was crowned event champion. Two women and a French national also made the crossing.

In a conversation with The Business Standard, Mishu Biswas said that aside from serving the people as a member of the Bangladesh Police, he loves running and swimming to keep in shape.

"In the last few years, alongside my official duties, I was determined to cross the Bangla Channel and trained myself accordingly. Making it in my very first try is a matter of personal pride and glory," he said.

I learnt swimming around four months ago, and I hope the victory will lead me to the next level – the International Iron Man Championship held in Malaysia, he added.

Mishu Biswas, joined the Bangladesh Police through the 33rd Bangladesh Civil Service Exam and is currently posted as an Additional Deputy Commissioner in the Detective Branch (Ramna Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police 

Bangla Channel was discovered by adventure guru, the late Quazi Hamidul Haque. This year's event is dedicated to the veteran.