July 2, 2020
China-India border tensions intensify as
PLA builds fortifications in disputed territory
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
India-China border tensions could turn to conflict as Chinese PLA soldiers have built scores of fortifications, prefabricated huts, bunkers and pill-boxes after occupying the ‘Finger-4 to 8’ area on the north bank of Pangong Lake, according to Eurasia Times.
Tensions between China and India have grown since deadly clashes two weeks ago in the Galwan Valley between Indian-controlled Ladakh and Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin. The Indian Army said 20 of its soldiers were killed in hand-to-hand combat with Chinese soldiers. Both countries have accused each other of causing the skirmish and of breaking promises.
India-China border tensions do not seem to have eased out despite commander level meetings. After occupying a nearly 8-km stretch of India territory on the north bank of Pangong lake, the Chinese PLA troops have created a massive signage in the area to claim the region as their land, the Times of India reported Wednesday.
The TOI report says that the 80-metre-long signage is in the shape of inscriptions and is designed to be noticeable from the air and even capable of being detected by satellites. It comprises of the Mandarin symbol meaning China with a map of the country.
“It clearly shows the Chinese PLA troops have no intention of leaving the area any time soon. We, too, have counter-mobilized with additional Army and ITBP troops in the area since May for any eventuality. We want restoration of status quo ante, with the PLA pulling back to its original position,” TOI quoted an Indian official as saying.
PLA soldiers have built scores of fortifications, prefabricated huts, bunkers and pill-boxes after occupying the ‘Finger-4 to 8’ area on the north bank of Pangong Lake in an extensive build-up since early-May. They have also taken control of the nearby heights and ridgeline to dominate the area, says the TOI report.
The Chinese PLA soldiers, which has also boosted its positions on the south bank of the lake, wants Indian soldiers to retreat to the Finger-2 area. Ever since the deadly India-China border, Chinese soldiers have effectively blocked all Indian patrols from the Finger-4 to 8 area.
Meanwhile, as Hindustan Times reported, the Indian Army has deployed six T-90 tanks and anti-tank missile systems in the Galwan Valley sector indication that New Delhi is prepared for the worst-case scenario.
India has deployed Israeli SPYDER Missile along with the homemade Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) with a range of 30 km as part of strategic planning for a double layer tactic to guard critical resources and locations in the country.
Akash is India’s indigenously developed surface to air missile that can engage multiple targets from various directions. The all-weather missile can engage targets at a speed 2.5 times more than the speed of sound and can detect, track and destroy targets flying at low, medium and high altitudes.
Chinese strategists warn Beijing: Prepare for India border row to escalate
Meanwhile, Chinese military strategists have called on Beijing to be better prepared for an escalation in its border dispute with India, saying the potential for armed conflict between the two nuclear powers is on the rise, says Cathrine Wonge of South China Morning News.
A number of retired members of the Chinese military are calling for Beijing to prepare for further escalation, including granting its frontline troops more power to respond to an “intrusion” by Indian forces and deploying non-lethal hi-tech weapons such as laser guns along the border.
Qiao Liang, a retired air force major general and military theorist, said that while the possibility of an all-out war between the two countries remained low, China needed to prepare for an escalation into an armed conflict. “We should not overestimate India’s response, but we must also not let our guard down,” Qiao said in an article posted on his WeChat account.
“The Indian Army has repeatedly transgressed the border and destroyed Chinese camps, roads and other military facilities. If that happens again, the Chinese side should use more forceful measures to destroy the opposing side’s facilities and equipment,” said Wang Yunfei, a Chinese naval expert and retired PLA Navy officer.
Wang also said that Chinese troops should prepare to deploy non-lethal weapons such as lasers, tear gas and stun grenades after reports that India had changed its rules of engagement in the area.
He said that if the situation escalated despite last week’s military and diplomatic talks, China should make preparation for a possible military conflict a higher priority than further diplomacy.
Indian news outlets reported that the Indian Army had authorized field commanders to use firearms in case of “extraordinary” circumstances along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and that the Indian government had ramped up armed forces funding for emergency ammunition and weapons.
The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is a loose demarcation line that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory in the Sino-Indian border dispute. The term was first used by the then Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai in a 1959 letter to the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It subsequently referred to the line formed after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and is part of the Sino-Indian border dispute.
Abdus Sattar Ghazali is the Chief Editor of the Journal of America (www.journalofamerica.net) email: asghazali2011 (@) gmail.com
The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
Your donation
is tax deductable.
