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India Steps Up Surveillance As PLA Increases Exercises Along LAC

There has been an increase in the number of exercises by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Tibet autonomous region, reports Sumit Kumar Singh

Eastern Army commander Lieutenant General Manoj Pande said that there has been an increase in the number of exercises by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Tibet autonomous region in the last few months as India considers alternate border management.

Speaking to the media at a forward location in Arunachal Pradesh about Chinese activities across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Eastern Sector, Lt Gen Pande said: “So far as the activities on the other side of the LAC is concerned there are three to four issues.”

He said that firstly, annual training exercises carried out by the PLA have increased. “There has been some increase in the activities but in the depth areas,” he said.

Secondly, some of the reserve formations of the PLA which were mobilised have continued to remain in their training areas that again is in the operational depth area, the officer said.

Lt Gen Pande pointed out that both sides are attempting to develop infrastructure closer to the line of LAC and which again leads to certain issue at times.

“Since these infrastructure has come up close to the LAC there has also been an marginal increase in number of border defence troops.”

Explaining about the recent LAC face-off in the Eastern Sector, he said: “Along this LAC, we have a numbers of areas and number of points where patrols from both side interacts either in a scheduled manner or at times at chance encounter… We also have certain areas of different perceptions here wherein our perception of the LAC is different from what the Chinese perception is and especially in these areas sometimes the patrol comes face to face which then results in a face-off.”

The officer added that the force have a robust mechanism, SOP protocols because of which they are able to resolve such situation as and when they arise.

“The role of our commanders and our junior leaders who are actually leading the patrols I believe extremely important in this context because they are the ones who have too develop correct understanding with the commanders on the other sides and then if they are any issues that arise we try and resolve it at the local Commanders level and that has worked out well,” Lt Gen Pande said.

The officer said they have a robust conflict resolution management in terms of when required organising meeting between the two sides at different levels.

“We have a mechanism of hot lines, we also meet in what is referred to as border personnel meetings. So far in the Eastern Command we had three hotlines, the fourth one was recently operationalised.”

Regarding the Chinese activities, the officer talked about the level of operational preparedness of the force.

“We have taken number of steps number of measures, the foremost is enhancing out surveillance both close to the LAC as well as in the depth areas now this we are doing by synergizing efforts of our all surveillance equipmentA right from the strategic level till the tactical level where our soldiers actually deployed on the LAC,” Lt Gen Pande said.

“We have adequateA forces that are available in each sector to deal with any contingency that may arise and we are also practicing and rehearsing on various contingencies that may come about in certain areas where at deployment are thin.”

The officer also stated that they have strengthened the deployment, largely in areas where it was thin.

“I would say there has been not major increase or increment in terms of the number of forces that are deployed at the LAC. We also are looking at maximising the potential by incorporating the technologies to the maximum extent possible be it in term of increasing our surveillance, ISR capabilities or in terms of communications and likewise,” he pointed.

When asked about the Chinese continuously breaching the laid out agreement and protocols, the officer said it is being looked at on a higher level.

In terms of larger guidance, the officer said that strategic guidance in terms of dealing with situation on the LAC is to respect the mutually agreed protocols and agreements and that has been India’s effort, not withstanding what has been the action or response from the other side.

“Consequent to what happened and what we need to do in the future, is something I reckon is being looked atA the larger level,” he said.

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India, China face off along LAC in Arunachal

The face-off lasted for a few hours before the troops disengaged and Indian troops outnumbered the Chinese at the location, reports Asian Lite News

Troops of India and China were engaged in a face-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Arunachal Pradesh sector as the patrols of two countries came face to face at one location.

Sources in the defence establishment said the face-off took place between the two sides last week and the troops disengaged after the talks between the two local commanders as per existing protocols.

The face-off lasted for a few hours before the troops disengaged and Indian troops outnumbered the Chinese at the location, sources said.

There was no damage to the Indian defences in the face-off that took place between the two sides at the location, they said.

Since the India-China border has not been formally demarcated and hence there is a difference in perception of LAC between the countries.

“Peace and tranquillity in these areas of differing perceptions have been possible by adherence to existing agreements and protocols between the two countries,” they said.

Sources said both sides undertake patrolling activities upto their line of perception.

Whenever patrols of both sides physically meet, the situation is managed according to established protocols and mechanisms agreed by both sides. Physical engagement can last for a few hours prior to disengaging as per mutual understanding, they said.

Earlier in August, India and China had disengaged troops from the Gogra heights area and moved them back to their permanent bases.

In the 12th round of military talks, India and China had agreed to disengage troops from patrolling point 17A, one of the friction points between the two countries in the eastern Ladakh region.

200 Chinese troops detained

Around 200 troops of China’s People’s Liberation Army entered into Indian territory last week leading to a face-off with the Indian Army at the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, sources said.

It happened during a routine patrol close to the LAC near Yangtse in Tawang Sector.

The Indian troops intercepted around 200 PLA soldiers, who had crossed over into the Indian side from Tibet and attempted to damage unoccupied bunkers.

This led to a face-off which was amicably resolved by the commanders at the local level. They met to disengage and de-escalate the situation.

Top government sources said the face-off between the two sides lasted for a few hours and was resolved as per the existing protocols. There was no damage caused to the Indian defences during the engagement.

Sources also stated that the India-China border has not been formally demarcated and hence there is a difference in perception of the LAC between the two countries.

“Physical engagement can last for a few hours prior to disengaging as per mutual understanding,” said the source, adding that in last week’s incident there was no damage to defences.

It is stated that this is a “routine business” happening “whenever patrols meet, wherever there’s differing perceptions on the Line of Actual Control. Both sides patrol. Just that in this instance, the patrols happened to meet,” the source added.

India and China have been engaged in border disputes for the last 16 months at the Line of Actual control in Eastern Ladakh.

Twelve rounds of commander-level talks have taken place so far for the disengagement and the 13th round is scheduled to happen in mid-October.

PLA carries out night battle drill

Last month, People’s Liberation Army carried out a night battle exercise at over 16,000 feet on the heights of Xinjian, near the Indian border amid the two countries’ border dispute in eastern Ladakh and ongoing military and diplomatic talks to resolve it.

The Western Theatre Command carried out the night battle exercise recently to boost their capabilities, sources said. The theatre command oversees the Xinjiang and the Tibet autonomous regions as well as the border with India, making it the largest geographical area under one command in the PLA.

Earlier this year, China had brought troops from the Tibet Military region to the Xinjiang region that is responsible for Karakoram Pass down to south Uttarakhand. Further, they have deployed larger numbers of long-range artillery and are rapidly building infrastructure on the Tibetan plateau.

After these troops were brought, the PLA has started carrying out military exercises in the region.

Further, China has refurbished its existing airfields in Tibetan plateau that will allow twin-engines fighter aircraft to be stationed. They are currently revamping 30 airports built or under construction in Xinjiang and Tibet for military transportation.

China has revamped infrastructure in Tibet, launching a high-speed bullet train connecting provincial capital Lhasa with Nyingchi, the Tibetan border town close to Arunachal Pradesh.

The Chinese have also been rapidly enhancing military infrastructure at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after clashes with India last year.

India too has reoriented around 50,000 troops whose main focus is now at the disputed border with China.

Both the countries decided to resolve the issue through talks.

Last month, in another major breakthrough, India and China withdrew troops from friction point, Patrolling Point (PP) 17 in Gogra at the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

Both the countries have ceased forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner.

Indian military delegates will meet their Chinese counterparts to discuss disengagement at the other friction area, the Depsang plains.

The build-up in Depsang was not being considered part of the current standoff that started in May last year as escalations here took place in 2013. India has insisted during recent military commander meetings to resolve all issues across the LAC.

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Chinese Troops Deployed in Considerable Numbers Across Ladakh: Indian Army Chief

Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said the Chinese army deployed their forces in considerable numbers across Eastern Ladakh and up to eastern command, reports Ajit Dubey

Expressing hope that the pending issues between India and China along the Line of Actual Control would be resolved soon, Army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said the increase in the deployment by Chinese troops across the border was a matter of concern.

Indian Army Chief M.M. Naravane (Photo: Bidesh Manna/IANS)

He said India had made matching deployments in terms of troops and infrastructure in its areas along the LAC and there was no way anyone would be able to behave in an aggressive manner again.

Speaking to ANI, Gen Naravane, who is in Ladakh for his two-day visit, said, “The situation at friction points has been normal for the past six months. The talks have been going on. We had the 12th round of talks last month, and also hopeful of having the 13th round of talks, maybe by the second week of October.”

He added, “When the talks had started, people were doubtful whether talks would resolve anything, but I am of the firm opinion that we can resolve our differences with dialogue and that is what has happened in the past few months.”

The army chief said, “The Chinese have deployed (their forces) in considerable numbers across Eastern Ladakh and up to eastern command. There has been an increase in the deployment and it is a matter of concern for us. We are also carrying out matching developments in terms of infrastructure and deployment of troops. We are quite poised in order to meet any eventuality.” (ANI)

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China’s behaviour disturbed peace along LAC, says India

MEA’s spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Beijing continues to deploy a large number of troops and armaments in the border areas and, in response, Indian armed forces had to make “appropriate counter deployments”, reports Asian Lite News

China’s provocative behaviour, amassing of troops and its unilateral attempts to alter the status quo resulted in serious disturbance of peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, said India on Thursday while rejecting Beijing’s allegation that New Delhi has long pursued the “forward policy” along the LAC.

MEA’s spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Beijing continues to deploy a large number of troops and armaments in the border areas and, in response, Indian armed forces had to make “appropriate counter deployments”.

Bagchi remarks come in response to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying’s claims that the Indian side has long pursued the “forward policy” and illegally crossed the LAC to encroach on China’s territory, which is the root cause of tension in the China-India border situation.

Hua made the statement during a daily briefing on September 29.

Rejecting the statement by the Chinese side, Bagchi said: “It was the amassing of a large number of troops by the Chinese side, their provocative behaviour and unilateral attempts to alter status quo in contravention of all our bilateral agreements that resulted in serious disturbance of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. China continues to deploy large number of troops and armaments in the border areas. It was in response to Chinese actions, that our armed forces had to make appropriate counter deployments in these areas to ensure that India’s security interests are fully protected.”

India and China have been engaged in a military standoff for almost a year but disengaged from the most contentious Pangong lake area last month after extensive talks at both military and political levels.

Tensions at the India-China border in eastern Ladakh continues to exist even a year after the Galwan clash in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed.

Bagchi pointed out External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks during his meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi early this month and said it is India’s “expectation that the Chinese side will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols”.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Border incidents to continue till boundary dispute is resolved: Army Chief

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Thursday that developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh add to the ongoing legacy challenges on India’s “active and disputed borders” on the Western and Eastern Front.

Speaking at the 116th annual session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), General Naravane said as far as Northern neighbour is concerned India has an outstanding border issue.

Responding to continued Chinese aggression at the border, he said: “We are well prepared to meet any misadventure that may occur as we have demonstrated in the past. Such kinds of incidents will continue to occur till such time a long term solution is reached, that is to have a boundary agreement… That should be the thrust of our efforts so that we have lasting peace along our northern borders.”

He also said that the unprecedented developments at the Northern Borders necessitated large scale resource mobilisation, orchestration of forces and immediate response, and all this in a Covid infested environment.

Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane reviews security arrangements in Valley.

Concurrently, there was also a need to reinforce the efforts of the government in mitigating the ongoing health crisis.

He said that the Armed Forces contributed during this highly challenging and sensitive period towards the making of a resilient India.

“You would appreciate that each of the three Services — the Army, Navy and the Air Force — has its own set of challenges. Because of our peculiar environment of contested borders and an ongoing proxy war in the hinterland, the Indian Army is in active operations throughout the year, safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our Nation,” General Naravane said.

Maintaining high levels of readiness and operational preparedness to meet contingencies, is therefore part of the Army’s culture, he stated.

However, a challenge like the Covid pandemic was unique and unprecedented. “We had to protect ourselves, only then could we discharge our duties and help others,” he said.

Strict Force Preservation measures were undertaken in the initial days of the pandemic, even as there was no dilution to the ongoing operational commitments.

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As the magnitude and scale of the pandemic unfolded over time, we realised that these early actions to stay ahead of the curve, had a strong bearing on the future course of our operations.

The combined capabilities of the three Services were pressed into service to augment the national effort. The Indian Air Force undertook massive air evacuation of our citizens stranded in various countries while at the same time ferrying tons of medical supplies.

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China’s Army continues to build up infra along LAC

The build-up by the PLA has been observed since the start of the year and most recently through satellite imagery in August 2021, reports Asian Lite News

Even after both India and China agreed to disengage from key areas in Eastern Ladakh, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to build up infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

This shows the real Chinese intent towards India despite engaging in several rounds of military-level discussions over disengagement from the points of tension that occurred in the standoff in Eastern Ladakh last year.

The build-up by the PLA has been observed since the start of the year and most recently through satellite imagery in August 2021.

Tensions have again flared up with the extension of the Tainwendian Highway leading up to the Depsang plains just 24 km away from India’s highest airfield, Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO).

Satellite images dated August 17, 2021, have revealed upgraded infrastructure near the Depsang Plains along with the Western sector of the LAC between India and China.

According to the Twitter handle @detresfa_, the Tianwendian Highway that leads up to the Depsang Plains area under China PLA’s control in Aksai Chin has been undergoing roadworks, widening and upgrades this year.

This handle has released numerous images since tensions between India and China began building in May 2020. The Highway connects the PLA’s post in Tianwendian in Aksai China to the Depsang plains.

The Tianwendian highway connects the PLA’s Tianwendian all-season post in Aksai Chin to the Depsang Plains. The post is situated barely 24 km from DBO, reported The HK Post.

During the current standoff, Chinese troops have brought in their tanks and troops close to Indian positions.

India has been asserting that not just Pangong but all friction points across Eastern Ladakh including Depsang and areas around Demchok where Indian grazers have been obstructed should be dealt with.

Despite the talk of disengagement, the Chinese are clearly asserting their military control over Aksai Chin. In particular, the focus on Depsang Plains is of concern because it is very close to India’s DBO and Karakoram Pass.

Chinese forces can’t fight at high altitudes: Report

China’s rising arms, ammunition and advanced weapons indicate that the communist regime has enhanced its military capabilities and made its forces more advanced. However, despite having advanced weapons, Chinese forces can’t fight at high altitudes, a media report said.

The effectiveness of the new weapons and their live-fire exercises may ultimately be of little consequence, given that China may lack the means to successfully transport the assets at high altitudes and achieve the needed combat manoeuvre capacity, US-based magazine National Interest reported.

In its latest efforts to demonstrate its military capabilities, the People’s Liberation Army nowadays fired off new rockets and artillery in its Western plateau region.

PLA fired off its new PHL-11 self-propelled multiple rocket launcher, PCL-161 self-propelled howitzer, and PHL-03 long-range multiple rocket launcher, according to Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece The Global Times. The weapons conducted numerous live-fire exercises at high altitudes, the report said.

During the exercise, the emerging Chinese weapons intended to refine the PLA’s ability to conduct precision-manoeuvre warfare at high altitudes in mountainous terrain.

But China potentially lacks anything like the US Chinook helicopter, which is able to airdrop mobile artillery or rocket launcher systems. In this case, the existence of new and advanced weapons systems may face a deployment problem at high altitudes. It’s a possible obstacle for a Chinese force that might have few options when it comes to deploying this kind of land firepower at mountainous altitudes greater than five thousand feet, National Interest said.

Beijing has Z-8 cargo transport helicopters. These are is reported to operate with about one-half of the maximum take-off weight of the US Army’s CH-47 Chinook.

So far, the information publically available claims that Z-8’s maximum take-off weight is twenty-eight thousand pounds. Whereas Chinook can take off with as much as fifty thousand pounds.

It signals that the Chinese military may be facing challenges while moving its ground war forces and assets around mountainous areas.

Chinook has been successfully deploying heavy machines and howitzers up into mountainous. A Chinook helicopter can carry an M777 mobile Howitzer or even several tactical wheeled vehicles up into mountainous areas to airdrop firepower.

Beijing also has Y-20 cargo aircraft as a fixed-wing asset. But it’s unlikely to hover sufficiently near active combat areas, land vertically, or airdrop essential weapons during the conflict.

The weapons Beijing has nowadays can certainly deter any potential rival from contemplating a land invasion of China. This situation can be predicted as most unlikely due to the country’s terrain and the sheer size. The possible attack on China more likely would be from the air, at least for quite some time until the possibility of land occupation becomes feasible, according to National Interest.

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India, China hold 12th round of border talks

Indian military delegates are discussing disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and 900 square km Depsang plains, reports Asian Lite News

The twelfth round of top commanders-level talks between India and China are underway at Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh region on Saturday.

The talks are happening after a gap of three months. Indian military delegates are discussing disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and 900 square km Depsang plains.

Indian delegation is led by Leh-based XIV Corps chief Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon and Additional Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Naveen Srivastava.

The Chinese military delegation is led by Commander of the PLA’s Western Theatre Command Xu Qiling, who was appointed earlier this month.

Indian Army Chief visits Siachen, Ladakh; reviews operational operational preparedness

The build-up in Depsang was not being considered part of the current standoff that started in May last year as escalation here took place in 2013. India has insisted during recent military commander meetings to resolve all issues across the Line of Actual Control.

“The initial attempt will be to resolve Gogra and Hot Springs. Finding a solution to Depsang might be tricky and take longer,” said the officer.

In April, during 11th round of Corps Commander level talk, the focus was disengagement on friction points at Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang. On February 20, Indian and Chinese militaries held 10th round of dialogue to de-escalate tension at the Line of Actual Control.

Till now, apart from 11 round of Corps Commanders-level talks, the two forces have also held 10 Major Generals level, 55 Brigadiers-level talks and 1,450 calls over the hotlines.

China has been enhancing military infrastructure across the Line of Control.

Looking at it, India has changed its posture towards China, unlike its previous defensive approach that placed a premium on fending on Chinese aggression, India is now catering to military options to strike back and has reoriented its military accordingly.

Disengagement in south of Pangong Lake

India has reoriented around 50,000 troops whose main focus will be the disputed border with China. The reorientation comes when China is refurbishing its existing air-fields in Tibetan Plateau that will allow twin-engines fighter aircraft to be stationed, sources said.

In addition, China has also brought troops from the Tibet Military region to the Xinjiang region that passes through Karakoram range down south Uttarakhand.

Further, they have deployed larger numbers of long range artillery and are rapidly building infrastructure in the Tibetan Plateau.

So far, the troops of two Himalayan giants have disengaged from both the banks of Pangong Tso in February this year.

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India monitoring PLA activities on border: Army Chief

Indian Army Chief M.M. Naravane (Photo: Bidesh Manna/IANS)

Indian Army Chief said that Indian troops are on high alert and deployments have not thinned after the disengagement in Pangong Lake, reports Asian Lite News

The chief of Indian Army, M.M. Naravane, said here on Friday that the troops are on high alert at Line of Actual Control (LAC), keeping a close watch on the activities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

The army chief also pointed that India wants the status quo ante of April 2020 to be restored.

Naravane stated that India has made it clear to China that de-escalation will only be considered once disengagement is completed to the mutual satisfaction of both sides.

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He said that Indian troops are on high alert and deployments have not thinned after the disengagement in Pangong Lake.

The army chief maintained that China has deployed around 50,000 to 60,000 troops in Eastern Ladakh in immediate depth, so India has also made mirror deployments in depth.

Army Chief
Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane reviews security arrangements in Valley.

Naravane also said that India is keeping an eye on the developments on the Chinese side.

He said India is currently concentrating on resolving the outstanding problems at other friction points like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang along the LAC.

He also pointed out that India’s stand in the disengagement agreement in the Pangong Lake area remained the same, i.e., the status quo ante of April 2020 must be restored.

The army chief also stated that trust levels between the two countries are low, but pointed out that the trust deficit should not hinder the negotiation process.

Indian Army uses drones, cameras to monitor Chinese troops pullback at Pangong Lake

The 12 rounds of military commander-level talks between India and China to resolve the border issue will take place soon. It has been delayed due to the surge in the number of Covid cases.

General Naravane recently reviewed the operational preparedness of the force along the borders with China in the Arunachal Pradesh region.

He went to Dimapur in Nagaland on May 20 on a two-day visit to review the operational readiness along the northern borders of Arunachal Pradesh, and the security situation in the hinterlands of the Northeast region.

India and China are engaged in a year-long standoff along the LAC. The confrontations began on the north bank of Pangong Lake, both in the waters and the bank, as Chinese incursions increased in early May last year.

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