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The meetings included discussions about potential removal of Bangladesh Prez Shahabuddin. Another aspect was the transfer of specialised munitions to Bangladesh’s elite battalion
Retired Indian Army officials are calling this “a textbook misuse of Western aid”.
In what is being described as a stunning intelligence breakthrough, Indian agencies have uncovered a secret series of military deliberations between the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) held behind closed doors from April 15 to 19, 2025. The revelation, exposed through a high-level intelligence leak, points to a rapidly evolving military partnership between Islamabad and Dhaka — one that is raising red flags in the South Block.
Sources intercepted key exchanges between the visiting Pakistani Air Chief and top officials of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. What appeared to be a benign aviation exchange was, in fact, a deeply layered engagement involving drone warfare, tactical communications, space operations, cyber warfare, and even political subterfuge.
A military nexus in the making
Leaks reveal that the discussions were anything but symbolic. A major focus was the joint development of Modular and Unmanned Mission Trainers (MUMT–UMT) — simulators critical for drone swarming and autonomous air combat systems. Pakistan, which has refined its drone warfare capabilities with Chinese assistance, is believed to be transferring operational know-how to Dhaka.
Even more alarming is the collaborative push to integrate a Tactical Air Data Link System — a real-time, encrypted communication channel used for ground-to-air and air-to-air operations. This could significantly boost BAF’s interoperability with foreign forces and enhance its strike coordination capacities, a concern not lost on India’s Eastern Air Command.
Space, cyber and simulated warfare on the agenda
Multiple documents refer to a space cooperation dialogue, hinting at early-stage reconnaissance and satellite-based ISR capabilities. The involvement of third-party advisors—possibly from China’s PLA Strategic Support Force—cannot be ruled out.
Additionally, the two air forces are exploring Flight SRNL-based Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) systems, meant to simulate real-time combat environments. These tools are currently in use by elite units globally and are being tailored for BAF’s Special Warfare Training School in Sylhet. Defence strategists have confirmed talks around joint anti-drone technologies and cybersecurity systems. Pakistan is believed to have offered malware-resistant protocols and offensive cyber training modules — a chilling reminder of past digital incursions traced back to Islamabad.
Political plot in Dhaka?
Perhaps the most politically explosive finding: the meetings included whispered discussions about the potential removal of Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Sources attribute Pakistan’s defence attaché wing in Dhaka, in coordination with retired ISI-linked operatives, of fuelling a silent coup narrative — aiming to replace Shahabuddin with a more military-aligned figure.
Under the radar: Weapons transfers
Another disturbing aspect was the transfer of specialised munitions to Bangladesh’s elite 1 Para Commando Battalion, reportedly masked under US Government Section 333 counterterrorism assistance. The leak suggests these weapons, though cleared for anti-terror ops, are being quietly routed for elite unit training and potential cross-border capability enhancement.
Retired Indian Army officials are calling this “a textbook misuse of Western aid” — repurposed with Pakistan’s guidance for long-term strategic realignment.
The bottom line
The Pakistan-Bangladesh military tango has entered a new phase — silent, strategic, and shadowed in secrecy. With drone tech, digital warfare, and political manipulation on the menu, India must not only stay alert but recalibrate its eastern diplomacy and defence posture.
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