AGARTALA, Dec 20: Amid the volatile situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, top commanders of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command carried out on-ground inspections along the India-Bangladesh border in Mizoram and Tripura to review security preparedness and operational readiness.
Eastern Command Commander Lt Gen R.C. Tiwari, accompanied by General Officer Commanding Lt Gen Abhijit S. Pendharkar and senior officers, visited border areas under Spear Corps. According to an official Army post, Lt Gen Tiwari reviewed the security situation at a company operating base of the Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force (BSF) at Parva in Mizoram and lauded the troops for their steadfastness, resilience and high level of preparedness.
The senior commanders also visited Belonia in South Tripura to assess the situation along the international border. Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh and is surrounded on three sides by the neighbouring country, making it particularly vulnerable to smuggling and other cross-border crimes. Besides Tripura, Bangladesh also shares borders with Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km) and Assam (263 km), totalling around 1,880 km, which is guarded by the BSF.
Earlier in the day, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said the Centre is closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh and is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality. Referring to unrest following the exit of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Saha said a series of disturbing incidents have been reported across the border.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the Tripura government has been regularly sending detailed reports to the Centre. He claimed that terrorists, criminals and individuals involved in serious offences had been released from Bangladeshi jails, raising security concerns.
Saha asserted that India’s armed forces are fully prepared, adding that the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keeping a close watch on the situation. He also highlighted advancements in drone surveillance and referred to the demonstrated capabilities of the S-400 air defence system, stating that security arrangements along the border remain robust and well-equipped.
