Dibrugarh: Construction of the strategic India-Myanmar border fencing project at Pangsau Pass in Changlang district is continuing under heightened security, despite a recent militant ambush that killed Assam Rifles personnel. The continuation of work underscores the Centre’s push to strengthen border security in the insurgency-affected region.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is carrying out the fencing work along the international boundary, with security forces deployed to protect construction workers, machinery and infrastructure. Security measures have been strengthened following the attack, while construction teams are maintaining a safe distance from the immediate site of the ambush as work progresses.
Launched at Pangsau Pass in November 2025, the project forms part of the Centre’s plan to fence the entire 1,643-km India-Myanmar border. The initiative aims to curb insurgency, restrict illegal cross-border movement and improve security across the Northeast.
The Centre has sanctioned Rs 31,000 crore for the project, which spans Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh shares the longest stretch of the border at 520 km, followed by Mizoram at 510 km, Manipur at 398 km and Nagaland at 215 km.
The fencing is considered particularly important for Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) belt, which has faced militant activity and extortion for decades. Security agencies believe that restricting the movement of armed cadres across the porous international boundary could disrupt their supply routes and weaken their operational capabilities.
The project is also expected to help combat drug trafficking and other illegal cross-border activities, forming part of the Centre’s broader efforts to improve security and promote lasting peace in the region.
Residents of Changlang and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh have expressed support for the initiative, while the state government has backed the Centre-sponsored project. The ongoing work comes amid renewed efforts to secure the international boundary and address persistent security challenges affecting border communities.
In March, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that 30 km of border fencing had been completed in Manipur, highlighting the Centre’s efforts to accelerate construction across the four northeastern states that share the boundary with Myanmar.
Officials have emphasised the need to complete the project at the earliest, citing its strategic importance. Despite challenging terrain, adverse weather conditions and security threats, construction at Pangsau Pass is continuing.
Once completed, the fencing is expected to play a significant role in efforts to curb insurgency, prevent narcotics trafficking and strengthen long-term stability in the TCL region.