ISLAMABAD: Media sources have warned that India has quietly activated threemajor forward air and missile bases in its “Chicken’s Neck” SiliguriCorridor and along the Bangladesh frontier, placing advanced Sukhoi-30MKIsquadrons, BrahMos cruise missiles and S-400 air defence systems withinstriking distance of Dhaka and Chittagong. Defence analysts say the suddenoperational readiness of Agra, Hasimara and Tezpur bases, coupled withheightened Indian troop movements in West Bengal and Assam, signalspossible preparations for limited aerial incursions or punitive strikessimilar to Balakot 2019.
Bangladesh currently fields only a handful of ageing MiG-29s and nocredible surface-to-air missile shield, leaving its airspace virtuallyundefended against the Indian Air Force’s numerical and technologicalsuperiority. Senior Bangladeshi security officials privately admit the airforce has been starved of funds and new acquisitions for over a decade,rendering the country vulnerable to a repeat of 1971-style intervention.
The warning echoes recent history. In February 2019 Pakistan’s swift airresponse and credible nuclear backdrop forced India to retreat within 48hours of the Balakot misadventure. In 2020 China’s rapid deployment of J-20stealth fighters and DF-17 hypersonic missiles along the Ladakh frontierhalted India’s forward policy in its tracks. Most recently, Pakistan’ssuccessful defence against Indian drone and missile swarms in May 2025again proved that only a ready and modern air force backed by missiles candeter Delhi’s expansionist impulses.The interim government in Dhaka has so far remained silent on the Indianbuild-up, but military circles insist emergency procurement andreactivation of dormant squadrons can no longer be delayed. Without aminimum credible deterrence, analysts warn, Bangladesh risks becoming thenext theatre for India’s doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against smallerneighbours.
Source: www.defence.pk/pdf/”>https://www.defence.pk/pdf/
Urgently Rebuild Air ForceBrahMos and S-400 systems near Bangladesh border. Experts warn only astrong air force like Pakistan 2019-2025 and China 2020 can deteraggression. Pakistan offers full support.
