Pakistan-Bangladesh Air Force Pact? India On Edge After Intelligence Exposure
Deliberations also included covert talk on ousting Bangladesh President Shahabuddin; sensitive munitions transfer to elite forces flagged
In what intelligence officials are calling a major surveillance success, Indian agencies have unearthed confidential military-level engagements between the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), held discreetly from April 15 to 19, 2025. The discovery, made possible via a top-tier intelligence breach, indicates a fast-evolving defence equation between Islamabad and Dhaka — a development that has set off alarms within South Block.
Indian operatives reportedly intercepted sensitive communications involving the Pakistani Air Chief and senior personnel from the Bangladesh Armed Forces. What initially seemed like a standard aviation outreach has been revealed as a far more intricate dialogue — touching on drone warfare, tactical systems, space and cyber capabilities, and even political manoeuvring.
A Defence Alignment in Progress
As per the leak, the talks were far from symbolic. A key agenda item was the joint creation of Modular and Unmanned Mission Trainers (MUMT–UMT) — advanced simulators essential for autonomous aerial combat and drone swarming exercises. With significant experience in drone warfare (bolstered by Chinese assistance), Pakistan is believed to be passing on operational expertise to Bangladesh.
Of notable concern is the joint intent to implement a Tactical Air Data Link System — a secure, real-time communication channel designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground coordination. If deployed, this system would greatly improve BAF’s coordination capacity, raising strategic concerns for India’s Eastern Air Command.
Space and Cyber Warfare Also Discussed
Leaked documentation points to an early-phase space cooperation initiative, hinting at ambitions for satellite-driven ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities. There are also strong indications that external consultants — potentially linked to China’s PLA Strategic Support Force — could be involved in this dialogue.
Further discussions revolved around introducing Flight SRNL-based Augmented and Virtual Reality tools to simulate live combat situations. These technologies, already in service with elite global forces, are reportedly being customised for BAF’s Special Warfare Training School in Sylhet. Meanwhile, plans to build joint anti-drone and cyber defence capabilities are progressing. Pakistan is believed to have offered malware-hardened protocols and cyber offensive training modules, invoking concerns reminiscent of prior cyber breaches traced back to Pakistani operatives.
Potential Political Interference in Bangladesh
Arguably the most politically sensitive revelation: the dialogue reportedly veered into secretive conversations about the possible removal of Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Intelligence points toward efforts by Pakistan’s defence attaché network in Dhaka, along with retired ISI-linked figures, to promote a quiet coup narrative — with the intent of replacing Shahabuddin with a regime more aligned with military interests.
Covert Munitions Transfers Exposed
Another worrying detail from the leak is the transfer of specialised weaponry to Bangladesh’s elite 1 Para Commando Battalion, allegedly disguised under the US Government’s Section 333 counterterrorism aid. While officially intended for anti-terror operations, the intelligence suggests these weapons are being diverted for elite force training and cross-border tactical upgrades, possibly with Pakistani input.
Veterans from the Indian defence establishment have described this as “a textbook misuse of Western military assistance”, now being reengineered into a broader strategic alignment under Pakistan’s shadow.
Strategic Implications for India
The Pakistan-Bangladesh military axis seems to be entering a new chapter — low-profile, calculated, and shrouded in covert agendas. With emerging dimensions like drone warfare, cyber infiltration, and political destabilisation, India faces a shifting threat matrix in the East. Analysts suggest that India must swiftly reassess its defence diplomacy and tactical posture along the eastern frontier.
