'Fire and Fury' in eastern Ladakh: Live-fire exercises at over 15,000 feet

The integrated manoeuvre and live-fire exercise were carried out to review the operational preparedness of the Snow Leopard brigade. 

Image: Fire and Fury Corps's Snow Leopard Brigade conducts an integrated manoeuvre and live-fire exercise in Eastern Ladakh

Amidst the ongoing border standoff with the Chinese troops in the Ladakh region, the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps on Thursday conducted an integrated manoeuvre and live-fire exercise of its Snow Leopard Brigade in eastern Ladakh. 

The exercise was carried out to review the operational preparedness of the brigade. 

The exercise was reviewed by the Leh-headquartered XIV Corps or Fire and Fury Corps Commander, Lieutenant General PGK Menon. 

Image: Fire and Fury Corps's Snow Leopard Brigade conducts an integrated manoeuvre and live-fire exercise in Eastern Ladakh

The integrated manoeuvre and live-fire exercise were held at a super high altitude area (SHAA) of over 15,000 feet.

The troops of this brigade are specialists in high-altitude mountain warfare. Time and again, the Snow Leopard Brigade has proved their mettle.

Last year in August, the troops had out-manoeuvred the Chinese at several heights in the southern bank of Pangong Tso to keep a tight vigil over Chinese positions. 

Image: Fire and Fury Corps's Snow Leopard Brigade conducts an integrated manoeuvre and live-fire exercise in Eastern Ladakh

Domination over heights gave Indian Army an advantageous position in discussing the border issues with strength. 

These heights and features have given India not just tactical but also a strategic advantage on the ground and in talks between the two sides.

Indian Army's Special Forces now control several features and flanks at multiple friction points.

Image: Fire and Fury Corps's Snow Leopard Brigade conducts an integrated manoeuvre and live-fire exercise in Eastern Ladakh

So far, the troops of two Himalayan giants have disengaged from the Pangong Tso areas and Gogra heights. But the two forces have still deployed their large number of troops along the Line of Actual Control. 

The militaries of the two countries have held 12 rounds of Corps Commanders level talks so far.

The next round would be focusing on the remaining friction points, including Hot Springs, Demchok and Depsang.