Kailashahar Airport: How India is reviving 1971 war base to counter China-Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat plans

India’s quiet northeastern frontier has suddenly become the theatre of intense geopolitical recalibration. At the heart of this shift lies a World War II-era airfield in Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat district, which is now reportedly being revived with Chinese assistance.

The move has triggered serious alarm bells in New Delhi since the air base would allow Beijing a military foothold at the base, which is less than 20 km from the India-Bangladesh border. What adds to New Delhi’s concerns is the fact that Lalmonirhat is less than 20 km from the Siliguri Corridor – referred to as ‘chicken’s neck’ – a 22-km stretch of land connecting the seven northeastern states to the rest of India.

India’s response

As a countermeasure, India has wasted no time in accelerating the revival of its own defunct Kailashahar Airport in Tripura, located just a few kilometres from the Bangladesh border and not far from the strategically critical Siliguri Corridor.

The Airport Authority of India has initiated a process to revive the airport in Tripura’s Unakoti district.

On May 26, AAI Northeast Regional Executive Director M Raju Krishore, accompanied by MBB Airport (Agartala) Director K C Meena, on Monday visited Kailashahar airport to take stock of the ground situation.

"Following the state government's request and the Civil Aviation Ministry's instruction, AAI, Northeast, regional executive director visited Kailashahar airport on Monday to see the infrastructure, land availability and visibility condition," Meena told PTI.

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The Kailashahar airport, strategically located in Unakoti district, has remained defunct for over 30 years. The airport played a key role during the India-Pakistan war in 1971 as the Indian Air Force carried out missions and surveillance.

Before it was shut down, from this very airport, the inaugural missions of Kilo Flight—Bangladesh’s first resistance air unit under the operational command of the Indian Air Force—took to the skies.

This pioneering strike force carried out daring hit-and-run operations using just two aircraft: a Canadian-built DHC-3 Otter and a French-designed Alouette II helicopter, both modified for combat with rocket pods and machine guns.

Notably, the Kilo Flight team later led to the formation of the Bangladesh Air Force.

Proactive measures

The revival of Kailashahar Airport is part of a broader strategy to enhance logistical capabilities and ensure rapid deployment of resources if necessary. Meanwhile, it will also improve connectivity in state with only one major airport – Agartala.

The Lalmonirhat airbase’s proximity to Indian territory and the potential for Chinese dual-use deployment – civil and military – has transformed it into a flashpoint in the emerging China-Bangladesh military synergy. India’s decision to fast-track the reactivation of Kailashahar Airport is a calculated move in this high-stakes game of regional strategy and deterrence. It is also a signal to both Dhaka and Beijing that India is not only watching but responding decisively.