CarpeDiem IAS • CarpeDiem IAS • CarpeDiem IAS •

New Indian Army Garrison Locations near the India-Bangladesh Border

17 Nov 2025 GS 3 Internal Security
New Indian Army Garrison Locations near the India-Bangladesh Border Click to view full image

Strategic context

  • India has strengthened its eastern frontier due to:

    • Regime change in Bangladesh and resulting regional uncertainties.

    • Growing Chinese presence near the Siliguri Corridor.

    • Increased concerns regarding illegal immigration and demographic shifts, highlighted by the Union Home Minister.

New garrison locations

  • Three new military establishments have been set up:

    1. Lachit Borphukan Military Station, Dhubri district, Assam.

    2. Kishanganj forward base, Bihar.

    3. Chopra forward base, West Bengal.

  • All three are positioned close to the India-Bangladesh border.

Strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor

  • Also known as the Chicken’s Neck.

  • Narrow land strip connecting mainland India with the eight Northeastern States.

  • Highly sensitive to:

    • Chinese military activity in nearby sectors.

    • Cross-border illegal immigration.

    • Any geopolitical shifts in Bangladesh.

Purpose of new garrisons

  • Enhance surveillance and operational readiness.

  • Strengthen coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF).

  • Improve logistics, response time, and troop deployment capabilities.

  • Support overall defence posture of the Eastern Command.

Broader security developments

  • China’s rapid border infrastructure expansion along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh remains a major concern.

  • China held a trilateral consultation with Pakistan and Bangladesh in Kunming, viewed by India as an attempt at regional engagement excluding India.

  • The Tri-Shakti Corps, responsible for Sikkim and the Siliguri Corridor, already deploys strong assets:

    • Rafale aircraft at Hashimara.

    • BrahMos missiles.

    • Advanced air-defence systems.

  • India has intensified military activity in the Northeast:

    • Indian Air Force flying displays in Assam.

    • Army exercise Poorvi Prachand Prahar near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh.

Developments in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations

  • Pakistan Navy ship visited Chattogram port on November 8 the first such visit since 1971.

  • Pakistan Navy chief held discussions with Bangladesh Army chief on defence cooperation.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. The newly established Lachit Borphukan Military Station is located in Assam’s Dhubri district.

  2. All the new garrison locations lie adjacent to the India-Myanmar border.

  3. One of the objectives behind establishing these garrisons is to enhance surveillance near the Siliguri Corridor.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: The station is in Dhubri district, Assam.

  • Statement 2 is incorrect: The garrisons are near the India-Bangladesh, not India-Myanmar, border.

  • Statement 3 is correct: Surveillance around the strategically crucial Siliguri Corridor is a key objective.

Q. With reference to India’s eastern frontier security, consider the following statements:

  1. The Tri-Shakti Corps is responsible for guarding Sikkim and the Siliguri Corridor.

  2. Rafale aircraft deployed at Hashimara form part of the region’s defensive assets.

  3. The establishment of new garrisons was prompted solely by the expansion of Chinese infrastructure near the LAC.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: Tri-Shakti Corps covers Sikkim and the corridor.

  • Statement 2 is correct: Rafales at Hashimara strengthen air defence.

  • Statement 3 is incorrect: The move was due to multiple factors including Bangladesh’s political changes and immigration concerns.



← Back to list