Fortifying 'Chicken's Neck'? Indian Army sets up military garrisons near Bangladesh border

On Thursday, Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General R.C. Tiwari laid the foundation stone for the Lachit Borphukan Military Station at Bamuni Part 1 and Part 2 villages in Dhubri.

The new base, named after the legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, will be the first major Indian Army installation in Assam close to the Bangladesh border.

Securing Eastern corridor

According to Defence PRO Lt. Col. M. Rawat, the Dhubri base marks a significant step in enhancing the Indian Army’s operational capabilities and infrastructure across the eastern frontier.

The station will fall under the jurisdiction of the Tezpur-based Gajraj Corps (4 Corps), a key formation under the Eastern Command.

The land earmarked for the base was previously under illegal encroachment but was cleared as part of the Assam government’s ongoing eviction drive.

The proposal for the base was first initiated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, following communal tensions in Dhubri during Eid last year.

Lt. Gen. Tiwari expressed gratitude to the Assam government and civil administration for their swift cooperation in expediting the project.

He also commended the Gajraj Corps for their commitment and efficiency in moving the project towards early operational readiness.

Kishanganj and Chopra: Quick-response border camps

While the Dhubri facility is being developed as a full-scale military base, the garrisons at Kishanganj (Bihar) and Chopra (North Bengal) have been established under a “minimal timeframe” directive — focused on rapid operational deployment.

Both bases lie within proximity of the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow 22-kilometre stretch known as India’s “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects mainland India to the Northeast.

The Chopra Defence Land lies less than a kilometre from Tetulia, in Bangladesh’s Panchagarh district under the Rangpur division, and will function under the Brahmastra Corps.

Lt. Gen. Tiwari recently visited both the Kishanganj and Chopra camps to review operational preparedness and ensure quick integration of the new facilities with existing formations.

Strategic significance amid regional shifts

The Indian Army’s swift expansion of its eastern defences comes at a time when Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has been seen drawing closer to Pakistan and China.

Reports of Yunus meeting Pakistan’s military leadership have raised concern within India’s security establishment, prompting a renewed emphasis on fortifying the eastern front.

Officials said that the move aims to “tighten surveillance, improve ground coordination, and prevent any cross-border security risks” in the region.

The protection of the Siliguri Corridor — a narrow land link between India’s mainland and its northeastern states — has always been a top national security priority.

“The new garrisons will ensure that every potential threat in the Chicken’s Neck region can be detected and neutralised swiftly,” a senior Army officer said.

Powerful shield around the Eastern corridor

The Tri-Shakti Corps, responsible for guarding the Chicken’s Neck corridor, already maintains a robust defensive posture supported by Rafale fighter jets, BrahMos missile systems, and advanced air defence units such as the S-400 and Akash systems.

Together, these assets create a formidable shield across India’s eastern flank.

Army officials have repeatedly stressed that the so-called “Chicken’s Neck” is not a weak link but rather one of India’s strongest defensive zones.

“In the event of a crisis, forces from West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Northeast can converge rapidly here,” the Army Chief had earlier said.

With the Dhubri military station and the new camps at Kishanganj and Chopra, India has now added another vital layer of defence to safeguard its eastern frontier — reinforcing not just the corridor, but the security of the entire northeastern region.