Indian Air Force Rafale operations at Hasimara Air Force Station

The Indian Air Force (IAF) utilizes the Hasimara Air Force Station in West Bengal as a strategic hub for operations in the Eastern Air Command. Due to its proximity to the borders of Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Chinese-occupied Tibet, the base plays a vital role in regional security.

The station is located near the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow strip of land approximately 22 kilometers wide known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck,’ which connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country. Military experts, including Air Marshal S. P. Dharkar and retired Air Marshal D. K. Patnaik, have highlighted the area's significance regarding potential regional security challenges and the strategic importance of maintaining airpower in this sector.