Indian defence authorities are actively considering the establishment of a fourth Army base near the India–Bangladesh border in Mizoram. This proposal follows the recent creation of three new Army bases in West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam. Together, these bases form a protective arc around the Siliguri Corridor, widely known as the “Chicken’s Neck”, a narrow but extremely vital stretch of land that links India’s north-eastern states with the mainland.

The Siliguri Corridor holds immense strategic importance because it is the only land route connecting the North East to the rest of India. Any disruption in this area could severely impact movement, supply lines, and national security. Due to growing regional tensions and evolving security challenges, safeguarding this corridor has become a key priority for the Indian Army. The proposed base in Mizoram is intended to strengthen defensive preparedness along India’s eastern borders, particularly near Bangladesh.

As part of this initiative, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s Eastern Command, Lieutenant General R C Tiwari, is scheduled to undertake a day-long visit to Thuampui near Aizawl in Mizoram on December 19. He will be accompanied by Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, GOC of the Dimapur-based 3rd Corps, and Lieutenant General Yash Ahlawat, GOC of the 17th Mountain Strike Corps. The visit aims to examine potential locations for stationing an Army battalion in the region. This battalion would act as a frontline defence unit against possible threats from the Bangladeshi state or non-state actors.

During the visit, senior officers from the Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force (BSF) will provide detailed briefings to the visiting generals. These briefings will take place in the presence of other senior Army officials and will focus on the current security situation, border vulnerabilities, and operational challenges in the region. Following the discussions, Lieutenant General Tiwari will inspect two important border outposts located along the India–Bangladesh frontier in Mizoram: Parva and Silsuri.

Silsuri is a large village situated in the West Phaileng block of Mamit district, close to the international border. The Parva border outpost, managed by the BSF, is located in Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram. This outpost holds particular strategic importance as it lies near both the India–Bangladesh and India–Myanmar borders. Its location makes it crucial for addressing threats that may arise from multiple border directions.

After completing the inspections, Lieutenant General Tiwari will return to Agartala, where he will hold further discussions with the accompanying GOCs. He will also review a detailed presentation prepared by Army and Assam Rifles officers. These meetings are expected to help finalise plans for deploying the proposed battalion in Mizoram. The battalion is likely to be drawn from the 3rd Corps and will be integrated into the state’s existing defence framework.

This proposed Army deployment is part of a broader effort to enhance security in areas close to Bangladesh’s defence installations. Alongside the Army’s plans, the BSF is also carrying out long-term infrastructure development projects along the Silchar and Mizoram frontiers. These projects include the construction of bunkers, ring bundhs—temporary or permanent embankments—blast-proof shelters, and underground armouries. These structures are designed to improve defensive strength and provide better protection for personnel stationed in sensitive areas.

According to sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs, these critical infrastructure projects are being prioritised based on operational sensitivity, threat perception, and vulnerability assessments. The construction work is planned to be carried out over the next five years. Under this plan, 45 such defensive structures will be built in each of the three battalion command areas located in the Cachar and Mizoram sectors.

Mizoram’s border with Bangladesh currently has 85 BSF border outposts. The BSF plans to upgrade these outposts into “composite” and future-ready operational hubs. This transformation aims to enhance both resilience and efficiency along the porous international border. So far, 40 defensive structures have already been completed in Mizoram’s Lunglei and Lawngtlai districts. In addition, 19 more projects have received official approval, though their completion timelines have not yet been announced. Over the next five years, plans are in place to equip as many as 26 border outposts with all four types of critical infrastructure.