A retired Bangladeshi military officer has caused a stir with a controversial Facebook post advising that Bangladesh must "occupy" India's seven northeastern states if New Delhi chooses to respond to Pakistan after the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman, who chairs the National Independent Commission of Inquiry investigating the 2009 BDR massacre, is also believed to be a close aide of Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

This provocative remarks come at a time when diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh are under stress following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In the now-deleted Bengali language Facebook post, Rahman wrote, "If India declares war on Pakistan, Bangladesh will take over seven North East India states. I believe in such a context one needs to begin a discussion over a collective army system with China."

Why North East India Is Being Targeted


•The Porous Border Factor

India and Bangladesh share the world's fifth-longest international border more than 4,000 kilometers with much of it running through Northeastern states such as Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. Despite barbed-wire fences, much of the border remains unmanned, facilitating infiltration, smuggling, and insurgent groups.

• Demographic Shifts: A Silent Weapon

States like Assam and Tripura have seen major demographic shifts over decades, primarily because of illegal migration from Bangladesh. The population can be manipulated on religious or ethnic grounds to orchestrate unrest or rally support for aggressive action, experts caution. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has raised coincerns previously.

• The Strategic Choke Point: "Chicken's Neck" At Risk

The Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as India's "Chicken's Neck," is only 22 km wide and links the rest of India to the North East. Any dissruption here particularly if supported by foreign powers like China would essentially cut off the region from mainland India, and that would be a huge national security threat.

• Cultural Camouflage: Playing the Ethnic Card

Bangladesh might leverage common Bengali identity and tribal affinity, particularly in Tripura where Bengalis dominate, to advance a narrative of "reunification". This might serve as a pretext for covert operations or as an excuse for military intervention in propaganda.

Also read: 'Bangladesh Should Occupy North East If India Attacks Pakistan': Yunus' Aide Makes Provocative Remark

• Proxy War Tactics: Old Playbook, New Players

With political turmoil in Dhaka and increasing cross-border tensions, BSF has raised alerts on arms smuggling and sleeper cell activities along the border, especially in Assam's Karimganj and Tripura's Khowai districts. These kinds of attempts of destabilization are already being made by illegal infiltrators. Recently Agartala customs has aslo ceised illegal drugs from Khowai in search operations.

Also read: Bangladesh Seeks Interpol Red Notice For Sheikh Hasina And 11 Others: Massive Crackdown Follows Tribunal Push