China is reinforcing PLA in eastern Ladakh; deploys military hardware and tents close to LAC
Experts believe installing more tents was a part of attempts to brave the winter. It should be noted that the Indian Army has already stocked up enough winter supplies, given the presence of over 50,000 troops along the LAC.
FollowDespite the disengagement between India and China barely a month ago, the People's Liberation Army continues to augment its strength and deployment of its military hardware and infrastructure at several points in Eastern Ladakh.
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According to intelligence reports, China's PLA erected more tents at five places in eastern Ladakh last month. It has also deployed heavy vehicles in Dahongliutan, which is around 200 km away from the Line of Actual Control in Xinjiang. The area is said to be northeast of Subsector North (SSN). It is situated east of Siachen Glacier.
Experts believe installing more tents was a part of attempts to brave the winter. It should be noted that the Indian Army has already stocked up enough winter supplies, given the presence of over 50,000 troops along the LAC.
What is China's PLA doing now in Eastern Ladakh?
As per the intelligence sources, the PLA has built 48 tents in Manza, which is 10 km away from the Chinese camp. In Shiquanhe, around 1600 tents and sheds were seen last month. Earlier, there were 1300 tents installed there. Â
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In Chiakang, they have deployed about 50 new vehicles and three new sheds, while 20 new heavy shades came up in the Shandong area in August.
At Dahongliutan, on Highway G-219 that crosses through Aksai Chin, over 60 new military vehicles have been deployed. The area is 210 km away from the LAC. The same infrastructure has been seen in the Aksu area.
It is pertinent to mention that China has constructed a heli-base in the Domar area, just 140 km from LAC in eastern Ladakh. However, the base is yet to be operationalized. The positioning of three multi-rocket launcher vehicles, which were earlier based at the heli-base, has now been changed.Â
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According to intelligence sources, it has been learnt that the sheds have been built up for logistics. They want to store the winter supplies amidst the ongoing standoff between the two countries. The tents will be used as transit camps for the troops.
The troops of two Himalayan giants have disengaged from several points, but they are still present in heavy numbers in the depth areas.
India's winter preparation
Sources in the defence establishment said that the Indian Army is ready for winter. Several permanent shelters have been made for 35,000 troops to stay in during the winter. The shelters are equipped with essential facilities.
The sources further said that the winter stocks for 1.5 lakh troops for 220 days had been provided for. Last month, the troops disengaged from PP-15 in the Gogra-Hot Spring region of Eastern Ladakh. The development came after the two sides held their 16th round of military talks on July 17 this year at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side.
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