In a major strategic boost to India’s eastern defence architecture, the Indian Army has established three new military garrisons along the Bangladesh border to secure the crucial Siliguri Corridor, widely known as the “Chicken’s Neck.” The corridor is a narrow land link just about 22 km wide that connects mainland India to all eight northeastern states.
The new outposts have been set up at Bamuni near Dhubri in Assam, Kishanganj in Bihar, and Chopra in West Bengal, significantly enhancing surveillance and rapid-response capabilities in the sensitive region.
The most prominent of these is the Lachit Borphukan Military Station in Dhubri district, where Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General R. C. Tiwari laid the foundation stone on Thursday. The station will be the first major Army base so close to the Bangladesh border in Assam. The site, which earlier saw large-scale encroachment, was cleared as part of the state government’s ongoing eviction operations.
“This station is a significant step towards reinforcing India’s operational preparedness in the region,” said Defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat. The base will fall under the Tezpur-based GOC 4 Corps, commonly known as the Gajraj Corps.
The move aligns with the strategic proposal initially made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following communal tensions in Dhubri during Eid. The Army leadership has expressed appreciation to the Assam government and local administration for speeding up land and infrastructure clearances.
Meanwhile, the bases in Kishanganj and Chopra have been developed in what officials describe as a “minimal timeframe” model. While smaller in scale, both posts sit extremely close to the Bangladesh border and are positioned inside the Siliguri Corridor, a zone considered highly sensitive due to its narrow geographic width and strategic importance.
The Chopra camp in North Bengal lies less than one kilometre from Tetulia in Bangladesh’s Panchagarh district. It will operate under the Brahmastra Corps, which oversees operations in the region. Lt Gen Tiwari recently visited both Kishanganj and Chopra to review operational readiness.
Strategic Context
The establishment of these camps comes at a time when geopolitical dynamics in Bangladesh are shifting. Observers say that under interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka has appeared more receptive to engagement with China and Pakistan. Indian security agencies are closely monitoring the developments, particularly after reports of Yunus’ interaction with Pakistan’s military leadership.
Stronger Shield for the East
The Siliguri Corridor remains a top priority for Indian military planners. To protect it, the Tri-Shakti Corps has already deployed an integrated defence network including Rafale fighter jets, BrahMos missile systems, and S-400 and Akash air defence units.
Senior Army officials emphasize that the corridor is well-fortified.
“What appears narrow on the map is actually one of India’s strongest links. The entire force structure from West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Northeast can be mobilized swiftly if required,” a senior commander noted.
Impact
The new bases are expected to:
Improve border surveillance.
Enable faster troop movement.
Strengthen intelligence and monitoring.
Close gaps in the Bangladesh-facing front.
With these developments, India has sent a clear message:
Any threat in the Siliguri Corridor region will be met with immediate and decisive response.
