Shillong, Dec 23: Indian defence forces are on high alert amidst the violent situation in Bangladesh, even as on Tuesday morning, Chinook and MI-17 helicopters were spotted flying in the Shillong skies.
“These are routine sorties,” said a defence source.
The move comes as Bangladesh’s law and order situation deteriorates, with radical Islamic movements gaining traction.
“We’re on a wait-and-watch mode, with assets moved to forward positions,” an official said.
Indian army units have moved to a new base in Dhubri, Assam, named Lachit Borphukan military station, which will be upgraded to a brigade. Another base is planned in Tripura.
“There’s no threat from Bangladesh, but we can’t be complacent when the neighbouring country is in turmoil,” the official added.
BSF troops are on high alert along the 443-km Indo-Bangladesh border, with concerns growing over radicalisation in Bangladesh and anti-India sentiments fuelled by external influences.
There are reports that in the wake of the unrest in Bangladesh, Indian intelligence agencies have sounded a very high alert along the border, fearing a massive spillover of illegal immigrants.
According to the reports, Intelligence Bureau officials stated that the risk of infiltration is at the low-visibility routes and riverine gaps in Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, and West Bengal.
