As the Indian Held Kashmir has become a flashpoint on the world map due to atrocities of the Indian occupying forces on the innocent Kashmiris, the Indian military strategists have also tended to take on China in a befitting manner militarily. In this regard, Indians have revamped military presence in Eastern Ladakh. The process of force enhancement was put in place over the last five years.
In this regard, bunkers drilled into barren hills, battle tanks at over 14,000 feet, and additional troops on newly built roads. India’s quiet efforts at beefing up military capabilities to match China’s wide-ranging transformation across the border are finally becoming a reality. With an objective to boost the morale of the soldiers, a small group of journalists was also provided with exclusive access to the eastern Ladakh bordering China.
This military build-up by India is in progress despite both India and China agreed to resolve the border dispute through talks and in 2005 signed an Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Boundary Question and have had several rounds Special Representative level talks. Historically both differ on the boundary between the two countries, and in 1962 fought a short and brutal war.
Lt. Gen. S.K. Patyal is General Officer Commanding the Leh-based 14 Corps, responsible for the entire western sector with China and some parts of the Line of Control with Pakistan, disclosed to media group that T-72 battle tanks of Russian origin had been moved to eastern Ladakh, located at 14,000 feet above sea level, six to eight months ago. Starting in 2014, two regiments of T-72 tanks have been moved to the valley.
Factually, for the second time in its entire history, the Indian Army moved over 100 tanks to the frontline in Ladakh, a geostrategic ally important region located along the so-called Line of Actual Control (LOC) in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Almost five decades ago, in a desperate attempt to use tanks against Chinese army, the Indian Mechanized Division airdropped five tanks in Laddakh. As a calculated strategic maneuver by the Indian Armed Forces, the deployment of tanks in the disputed region is aimed at reinforcing the Indian position in the valley overlooking China’s Tibet Autonomous Region
The third regiment is scheduled to arrive soon, forming a complete brigade. As more tanks are expected to arrive, the feasibility of maintaining the combat readiness of mechanized equipment in an area where the temperature drops down to -45 degrees Celsius has been called into question.
While the flat terrain of the valley provides for the movement of heavy mechanized equipment such as India’s formidable T-72 tanks, the Indian army takes special precautions to maintain these sophisticated machines.
The low temperature in the region affects the performance of the tanks so the Indian military uses special lubricants and fuel to keep the tanks running and at least twice every night, the engines are revved up to keep the systems in order.
Several fortified bunkers on mountains are visible along the way in key areas. In fact, the increased patrols both on land and in water on the Pangong Tso lake have resulted in increased stand offs with the Chinese army, which are resolved through banner drills and the agreed mechanisms, officials said.
Augmenting rapid airlift capabilities, India operationalised the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) located at over 16,000 feet. Work is now on to improve road connectivity to this critical area. Work on the 255 km Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road is progressing at a quick pace.
Ridiculously, Indians take refuge behind the lame excuse for military build-up that India is only correcting the balance by increasing the number of troops in area to counter Chinese air power, India has been activating a series of advanced landing grounds along the frontier and fighter aircraft have been practicing maneuvers in Leh.
In response to Indian military build-up, Chinese news agency Xinhua, reports, Chinese Military Vice Chairman Fan Changlong urging troops to get prepared for combat by improving planning, equipment and logistical support in order” to be ready to “win the war. Fan Changlong stressed the need to deeply understand the complexity of the grim situation facing the security, stepping up preparations for military struggle of the work to ensure that the order, be able to have to go win the war.
Focus on the difficult situation to deal with complex, targeted research warfare countermeasures, revision and improvement plan program, deepen all aspects of preparation of personnel, equipment, and security and so on. We must resolutely implement the Party Central Committee and President Xi instructions requirements, support local flood prevention work to do, to protect people’s lives and property, to restore normal production and life order to contribute.
Fan Changlong stressed the need to pay attention to changes in military research and external environment, the test of reform and adjustment of interests, arduous task forces and other factors soldiers thought to bring stability to focus on the grassroots level, unify ideological work fell to the grass roots, and create hold people’s hearts by undertaking internal environment, so that the officers and men have to realize the value of life and to get a sense of accomplishment.
This eye ball to eye ball stand of both Indian and Chinese militaries has converted the area into a volcano which may blast anytime because India and China are on a course of collision. China and India now appear to be clashing on multiple fronts.
In this situation, the international community must step forward to extend such invitations, and conducting military exchanges and dialogues with countries across the region to pacify both the military powers in South Asia.
Melange Report