The reinforcements of the posts of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the relocation of troops and the rapid strengthening of the road infrastructure through the friction points in occupied Aksai Chin during the last 30 days, everything clearly indicates that China is preparing for a long journey along the 3,488 km Line. of Actual Control (LAC), keeping the pressure on India even as the two countries talk of disengagement and downscaling.
The ninth round of the India-China military dialogue on disengagement and de-escalation is expected to take place soon.
According to senior military officials, the PLA is building more than 10 shelters each in Samar Lungpa, 30 km east of the Karakoram pass; and at Mount Sajum, south of Rechin La. Troop deployment is also increasing at Qizil Jilga, 70 km east of Daulet Beg Oldi (DBO).
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India and China have large differences in their respective perceptions of LAC at these points, as noted during the failed map exchange on June 17, 2002. This difference is as significant as 176 square kilometers in Samar Lungpa and 129 square kilometers. on Mount Saxum. Qizil Jilga is a major outpost of the PLA. Although a section of the South Block believes that the PLA wants to disconnect and reduce escalation soon, available intelligence, such as this, points to the opposite, and means that the Indian Army might have to spend the entire winter in subpolar Ladakh.
For example, the movement of more than 60 heavy equipment transport vehicles has been observed on the road from Shendong to Spanggur Gap, south of Chushul, and the Chinese are installing surveillance equipment along LAC in Ladakh. Chinese tank carriers have also been observed in Gobak, 60 kilometers east of LAC, indicating that the PLA has not let its guard down. Lastly, there has been a redeployment of troops at Aksai Chin in Rudog, Mapotheng, Sumxi and west of Chang La, northeast of Demchok.
Roads and infrastructure
According to the Indian national security planners, the Chinese military is carrying out the construction of strategic roads for faster deployment in LAC with a focus on the Depsang Bulge area and the DBO sector. It is understood that PLA is building a highway north of Karakoram Pass to Chip Chap Valley for faster deployment through the DBO post. Road construction is also underway near Chuti Chang La, on the other side of Depsang Bulge, just 8 km from ALC. Depsang Bulge has been a sticking point between the two armies since the PLA transgressions in early 2013. While there have been news reports of PLA’s decision to return to Finger 8 on the north shore of Pangong Tso from its current position of Finger 4, it is actually undertaking an exercise to widen and blacken a path from Finger 6 to Finger 8 Again, the reason is a more rapid deployment of PLA in the event of an outbreak on the northern shores of the frozen saltwater lake.
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With PLA fully deployed in LAC, China has placed container accommodation modules at all friction points, including Jeevan Nullah in Depsang Plains and Dehra La in the Bulge area. At least 285 container units have approached southwest of Samzungling, in the deep area of the Galwan Valley, which experienced a blast on June 15.
The town of Shiqaunhe in Chumar has become a major army supply depot with heavy construction materials stationed there to maintain the continuous supply of heavy equipment.
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