Bangladesh Revitalises Lalmonirhat Airbase Amid Indian Alarmism

Reading Time: 5 minutes The Government of Bangladesh is in the process of reviving the Lalmonirhat airbase, a dormant military facility in the country’s north-western Rangpur Division, barely 12 km from the international border with India. While the scale and timeline of reactivation remain unconfirmed, recent satellite imagery and local administrative reports suggest that major groundwork, runway refurbishment, and infrastructure enhancements are underway. This development has sparked a wave of speculative commentary in Indian defence media circles, especially on social platforms and YouTube-based outlets. Several of these narratives allege, without corroborated evidence, that Chinese military personnel may be stationed at the upgraded base and that Pakistani contractors linked to intelligence agencies have been awarded development contracts. These claims, however, have not been substantiated by any formal or neutral intelligence agencies. Bangladeshi officials have not confirmed the involvement of any foreign military in the Lalmonirhat project. Analysts familiar with the country’s