IAF’s show of strength paints Guwahati sky; 'Grand Display Near Chicken’s Neck Corridor To Give Enemies Sleepless Nights,' Assam CM says

Guwahati: Witnessing the prowess and operational skills displayed by the Indian Air Force during the first full-scale air show in the northeast held in Guwahati,chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the grand show near the strategic “Chicken’s Neck corridor” will give “sleepless nights” to adversaries.The event featured a range of aircraft, including the multirole Rafale and indigenous Tejas, as well as performances by the Suryakiran Aerobatics Team and the Sarang helicopter display team. The show left the audience in awe, showcasing the IAF’s technical advancements and representing national strength.Although defence minister Rajnath Singh was scheduled to attend, he was unable to make it due to commitments in Bihar for an assembly poll campaign. However, Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and CM Sarma were present on the occasion to commemorate the 93rd anniversary celebrations of the IAF.On his X handle, Sarma wrote, “The North East’s first ever air show was indeed a breathtaking show of strength, skill & spirit. Your overwhelming support for Bharat’s Air Warriors - so close to the Chicken Neck and four international borders - will give sleepless nights to enemies inside and outside the country.” He noted the region’s progress from being “nearly abandoned” during the 1962 war to now sending a powerful message of aerial dominance under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.The Siliguri Corridor, or “Chicken’s Neck Corridor,” is a critical chokepoint between Bangladesh to the south and Nepal to northwest —— just 22 km wide at its narrowest point —— connecting the northeastern states with the rest of India. Sarma has been expressing concerns over Muhammad Yunus’s rise in Bangladesh and since then the “Greater Bangladesh” narrative, which controversially imagines parts of India’s northeast as part of Bangladesh.The air show was attended by chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and featured a diverse array of fighter jets, transport planes, and helicopters flying over Lachit Ghat, adding vibrant colours to the city sky. The display included about 25 formations, with highlights such as the Tejas, Apache, C-295, and Hawks, symbolising resilience. The Harvard, Sukhoi 30, and Rafale captivated the audience with breathtaking low-level aerobatics, concluding with synchronised manoeuvres by the Suryakiran Aerobatics Team and Sarang helicopter display team. Aircraft flew from various air bases in eastern India, including Tezpur, Hasimara, Guwahati, Chabua, Bagdogra, and Panagarh.Advanced fighter jets like the Sukhoi-30, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Mirage made the event special, encapsulating the theme “Infallible Impervious and Precise.” Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh encouraged the youth of the northeast to join the forces. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal Surat Singh, said Guwahati was chosen for the show due to its significance as a gateway to the northeast and to strengthen connections with the local population. He told the media that all eight Advanced Landing Grounds in Arunachal Pradesh are currently operational.