Sukhois, tanks stacked up along LAC

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 19

Responding to the continuing Chinese aggression, India has added Apache attack copters, Sukhoi fighter jets, infantry men and tanks to defences along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

• Editorial: Taking on China
• Ready to counter any situation at LAC in Ladakh, says IAF chief

A division of the Indian Army, kept ready for contingency, has been acclimatised over the past two weeks for war fighting at more than 14,000 feet. Earlier, in the first week of May, the defences in Ladakh were bolstered by moving another division (some 15,000 troops).

Also, the 3rd Division of the Army, tasked for Ladakh under normal circumstances, is already there. Three divisions now form an arc and are ready to respond. This comes in response to the massive buildup by China along the LAC opposite Indian positions in Depsang, Galwan, Hot Springs, north bank of the Pangong Tso, Koyul, Fukche and Demchok.

The Chinese have been relentless in adding to their military capabilities across the LAC, as confirmed by the latest satellite imagery.

The IAF has moved the latest Apache attack 64 helicopters to Ladakh. The bases at Adampur and Pathankot are on alert and are doing patrolling. A navy surveillance plane, Boeing P8I, has been used to capture high-resolution imagery and videos. It can stream videos to war-rooms of the forces in Delhi.