Itanagar/New Delhi, Oct 19 (Bureau) Even as it maintains aggressive posture in the Ladakh sector, the Chinese Army has increased its activities and scale of exercises on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In view of these developments, the Indian Army has mounted surveillance at the LAC as well as in the depth areas, besides preparing for any contingencies that may come up, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Pande said here today. He said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) carries out annual training exercises but “there has been some increase in the level of activities” this time. The integrated exercises, being carried out by the PLA and involving its ground troops, air assets and rocket forces etc, are longer and more complex this time, he said, adding these activities are taking place in the depth areas.
He said while there wasn’t any major change in the patrolling pattern, there was a marginal increase in PLA patrols of disputed border areas. “Some of the reserve formations of the PLA which were mobilised have continued to remain in their training areas but that again is in operational depth. We have enhanced our surveillance both in LAC and depth areas,” the Army Commander said. “We have adequate forces for any need that may arise. In certain areas, where our deployment was thin, we have strengthened our deployment. But largely there has been no major increase in troops along LAC,” he added. This comes even as the military standoff continues in the Ladakh sector since May last year after China launched aggression in an attempt to alter the LAC in that sector, creating an eyeball-to-eyeball situation. Lt Gen Pande said surveillance has been mounted on the LAC as well as in the depth areas. “This is what we are doing by synergising efforts of all our surveillance resources, right from strategic level till the tactical level,” Lt Gen Pande.
“We are also practising and rehearsing contingencies that may come up.” “In certain areas, we have strengthened the deployment. Largely, there has been no major increase or increment in terms of the number of forces that we have deployed at LAC,” he added. The Indian Army is looking at maximising the potential of incorporating technology to the maximum extent possible, the Army Commander said. “We have inducted surveillance drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and have better surveillance radars, better communication systems, better night vision ability. Introduction of technology has remained one of our key areas and a number of steps are taken towards it,” he said. He said both India and China are attempting to develop infrastructure closer to LAC which leads to certain issues at times.
“As per their (PLA) strategy model, villages have come up near the border. It is a matter of concern how that can be used. We have taken cognisance of this in our plans,” he added. There has been a marginal increase in the border defence troops, who are already deployed at the LAC. Lt. Gen. Pande also said that the Mountain Strike Corps is fully raised and operational and fully equipped. “Raising of the Mountain Strike Corps commenced in 2014. By now it is fully operationalised. All its units including combat, combat support and support have been fully equipped. Its employment philosophy is stabilized,” he said. “Over the years the organization and structure of the Mountain Strike Corps has evolved to meet the operational requirements,” he said.