India fortifies the *Chicken’s Neck* with high-tech fences and Rafale jets
India has bolstered its grip on the Siliguri Corridor, a slender 22-kilometre stretch often dubbed the Chicken’s Neck. This vital passage serves as India's sole land route to its north-eastern states, and it sits at a crucial juncture, bordered by Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
The Indian Army, led by Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita of the Eastern Command, has collaborated with the Border Security Force (BSF) and the central government to enhance security. As per a January 6 report in the Tribune, the BSF has now installed advanced 12-foot-high fencing along 75% of the corridor. These barriers are equipped with pan-tilt-zoom cameras, providing real-time surveillance feeds.
Air defences have also been reinforced. Rafale fighter jets and the Russian-made S-400 missile system now safeguard the region. Additional strategies include improved area domination plans to discourage potential threats. The corridor's strategic importance lies in its connection to India's mainland and states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura, while being situated near four international borders. Any disruption here could sever the north-east from the rest of the country.
These upgrades signal a substantial enhancement in the corridor's security. High-tech fencing, sophisticated cameras, and advanced air defence systems now form a multi-layered security network. The Indian military and BSF continue to closely monitor the area.
