According to Indian army commanders, there has been a marginal increase, new revetments and relocation of deployments between finger four and finger seven on north banks of Pangong Tso

According to national security planners, the PLA is undertaking fresh deployment and relocation of both troops and heavy equipment in all the three sectors with fresh constructions of revetments in finger area of Pangong Tso.

Although India and China have completed nine rounds od military talks on disengagement in East Ladakh, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is showing no signs of de-escalation all along the 3488 km Line of Actual Control with fresh beefing up of artillery guns, self-propelled howitzers and surface to missile units in Tibet.

According to national security planners, the PLA is undertaking fresh deployment and relocation of both troops and heavy equipment in all the three sectors with fresh constructions of revetments (sloped protection against ordinance) in finger area of Pangong Tso.

There is evidence with the South Block to indicate fresh deployment of 35 heavy military vehicles and four 155 mm PLZ 83 self-propelled howitzers in sheds around Shiquanhe PLA camp, just 82 kilometres from the LAC across Chumar in East Ladakh.

Additional deployment of vehicles, heavy equipment and new construction work has been observed last month near Rudok surveillance facility, 90 km from the LAC, with four new large sheds and partition quarters for troops. Both Rudok and Shiquanhe are in occupied Aksai Chin area.

According to Indian army commanders, there has been a marginal increase, new revetments and relocation of deployments between finger four and finger seven on north banks of Pangong Tso. It was the Chinese PLA aggression on finger 4 mountainous spur on the north banks of Pangong Tso on May 5, 2020 that led to horizontal escalation of military tensions along the LAC.

While there has induction of 20 military vehicles and equipment observed around Piue radar site, 16 km from the LAC, the PLA is also strengthening positions around Spanggur Tso with induction of more firepower and troops in late December 2020. “ The PLA is strengthening all along the 1597 km LAC in Ladakh with a view for long term deployments. The fortifications around Spanggur Tso are designed to support Moldo Garrison in Chushul area with Indian Army dominating heights in Kailash Ranges,” said an official in know of the military deployments.

The PLA has also moved a surface to air missile (SAM) unit near PLA camp in Lhasa, 228 km from Indian border, to protect once seat of 14th Dalai Lama with some 30 vehicles moving the military equipment under camouflage in second of January 2021. Fearing an IAF attack in hinterland Tibet, the PLA has deployed SAM units and anti-aircraft guns around all major towns all along the LAC.

While a new military shelter comprising 4-5 barracks has been observed across Lipulekh pass in middle-sector, the presence PHL-03 multi-barrel rocket launchers at Rubinkha PLA camp just 23 km from India-China-Bhutan tri-junction is a matter of serious concern as PLA is continuing to push in the strategic area. The PHL-03 MBRLs is a Chinese copy of Russian Smerch rocket system with Indian Army.

Besides, there is increased Chinese humint activity at the India-China-Myanmar tri-junction across the Fish Tail area in Arunachal Pradesh.

While the Indian Army with the help of Borders Road Organization has increased connectivity and capability in all sectors, the Western Theatre Command of PLA continues to mount tension on the LAC.