India’s intelligence reveals China and Pakistan’s covert interest in reviving Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat Airbase near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor. This move could threaten India’s strategic advantage in the Northeast.
For quite some time, Bangladesh has been prominently featured in the news. One of the key reasons is China’s increasing activities in the country. According to India’s recent intelligence assessment, the growing relationship between Bangladesh and China has raised serious concerns, especially surrounding a historic airbase in Northern Bangladesh.
Located in the Rangpur region, Lalmonirhat is home to an old airbase initially built by the British in 1931. During World War II, the British used it as a forward operating base. However, after the war and the formation of East Pakistan, the airbase remained largely unused due to Pakistan’s lack of strategic vision and internal issues.
After Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, the Lalmonirhat airbase gained some significance. Today, it remains an important site in northern Bangladesh. People in West Bengal may recall hearing childhood stories about Lalmonirhat, particularly the famous story “Bondhur Mamar Bari” written by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, which references this very region and its British-era airfield.
After 1971, the Bangladeshi government once considered turning the Lalmonirhat airbase into the headquarters of the Bangladesh Air Force. However, India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) intervened, urging Bangladesh not to proceed with this plan. The reason? Lalmonirhat is located dangerously close to India’s sensitive Siliguri Corridor, a narrow 20–22 km strip of land that connects mainland India to its northeastern states.
Today, India maintains a critical military deployment in the Siliguri Corridor through its Trishakti Corps, and the nearby Hasimara Airbase in West Bengal houses a squadron of Rafale fighter jets, making the area strategically vital.
China’s Recent Moves
In the past three months, China’s interest in reviving the defunct Lalmonirhat airbase has intensified. As part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China views Bangladesh as a peripheral strategic asset. Reviving Lalmonirhat would involve building aerodromes, extending runways (which currently span 10.2 km), and constructing terminals and taxiways—military-grade infrastructure that can support even the heaviest aircraft.
China’s ambition, however, is not limited to infrastructure. Intelligence reports suggest that China is planning to involve Pakistani subcontractors to revive the airbase, indicating the emergence of a China–Pakistan–Bangladesh axis in this region.
China’s Strategic Objectives
India’s intelligence agencies have identified three major objectives behind China’s interest:
1. Using Pakistani Contractors as Fronts
Chinese intelligence is reportedly engaging Pakistan-based organizations such as:
- Frontier Works Organization (FWO) – An ISI-backed engineering unit seen scouting the Lalmonirhat area.
- National Logistics Cell (NLC) – Another front that previously built dual-use infrastructure under CPEC.
- Descon Engineering – Yet another ISI-linked firm allegedly spotted in the vicinity.
These organizations, although civilian on the surface, are covert arms of Pakistan’s ISI. Their presence would allow China to set up operations under the pretext of civilian development, but in reality, provide strategic leverage against India.
2. Creating an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) Zone
China aims to create an “air denial and anti-access bubble” in the region by:
- Preventing India from asserting air superiority in the Northeast.
- Deploying military assets such as:
- CH-5 radar systems
- Wing Loong II drones
- KJ-500 airborne early warning systems
This setup could enable “line-of-sight surveillance” over critical Indian airbases like Hasimara, Bagdogra, and Panagarh. The goal is to monitor Indian aerial movements, intercept communications, and potentially disrupt strategic operations.
3. Embedding PLA Strategic Support Forces
China is reportedly experimenting with the deployment of personnel from its People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) in Bangladesh. This unit is responsible for cyber warfare, electronic surveillance, and electronic warfare.
Their objective is clear: track, intercept, and analyze India’s Northeast air activities. If successful, this could severely limit India’s ability to operate freely from its own airbases.
India’s Strategic Concerns
The proximity of Lalmonirhat to the Siliguri Corridor, which is often dubbed “Chicken’s Neck,” is alarming. Control or surveillance of this region could allow adversaries to cut off India’s Northeast from the rest of the country in times of conflict.
If Chinese-backed Pakistani contractors gain a permanent presence near this area under the guise of civil work, it could destabilize the region. Potential threats include:
- Radicalization of Northern Bangladesh
- Increased attacks on Hindu minorities
- Strengthening anti-India assets in the Northeast
Conclusion
India must remain vigilant as China continues to strengthen its foothold in South Asia. The strategic implications of a revived Lalmonirhat airbase—especially with potential Pakistani and Chinese military collaboration—pose serious risks. India’s intelligence and diplomatic apparatus must proactively counter such moves to protect its sovereignty and regional stability.
