For the last two weeks, Bangladesh Army Aviation Group has been installing an air defence and radar system at Lalmonirhat air base where work on a massive hangar was completed late last year, Northeast News has confirmed from at least two military sources.
Security within the airbase, which is located less than 20 kms from the Bangladesh-India border with Cooch Behar district in West Bengal, has been upgraded considerably in view of the installation of the sensitive defence equipment.
The hangar is located at Haribhanga village under Mahendranagar union of Lalmonirhat in the Rangpur Division.
The airbase is spread over 1,166 acre and the runway is 4-km-long. Originally built in 1931, the Second World War-vintage airbase remained abandoned for years, though it was used by the Pakistani forces during the 1971 war.
Northeast News had first reported the Bangladesh Army Aviation Group's plans to install an air defence and radar system on November 6, 2025.
At that time, components for the new radar system arrived by truck at the expansive Lalmonirhat airbase in late October last year.
Plans were drawn up to construct a concrete platform and a commensurate building for emplacing the defence radar system that was to replace the aging system at the airbase.
While Indian military sources are aware of the air defence and radar installation process, they expressed consternation over the upgradation of the Bangladesh Air Force's Bogura airbase where too an air defence and radar system is in the process of being installed.
This is happening with backing from the US military, sources said, even as they preferred to not disclose details.
Air defence radars provide critical capabilities for surveillance, target acquisition and threat detection.
The main components of a military grade radar system include a transmitter, antennas, a receiver and a processor, along with other key parts such as a command-and-control centre, tracking systems, and weapons launchers.
Oddly enough, Indian authorities have not reacted publicly to either the construction of the hangar or the installation of the air defence and radar system. Bangladesh's defence forces appear to stand in violation of their own promise to not use the Lalmonirhat airfield for "military purposes", a commitment that was made by the then Brigadier General Nazim-ud-Daula in a press conference on May 26, 2025.
Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2025, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh had categorically said that "the Government of India has noted reports concerning Lalmonirhat airbase in Bangladesh".
The minister went on to state that it also noted a press briefing on May 26, 2025, by the Director of Military Operations of the Bangladesh Army, in which it had been stated that there were no plans at present for the Lalmonirhat airbase to be used for military purposes.
The Government of India continues to monitor all developments having a bearing on national security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it".
Northeast News brought to light the construction of the hangar at Lalmonirhat airbase, which is close to India's sensitive 'Chicken's Neck' or the Siliguri Corridor in North Bengal, on October 19.
On October 16, a three-member team of Indian Military Intelligence officers led by Major General Kundan Kumar Singh flew along with Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman to Lalmonirhat airbase and nearby Thakurgaon airfield.
Bangladesh's Military Land Cantonment Department under the Defence Ministry had issued an order on June 26, 2025, for "restarting" operations at the Thakurgaon airfield located at Shibganj.