Heavy Army Fortifications Close to China’s Now-Full Pangong Lake Bridge

Indian and Chinese language troopers had a sequence of violent skirmishes alongside the LAC. Excessive-res right here  

New Delhi:

China has accomplished the development of a 400-metre bridge, connecting the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Tso. The high-resolution pictures of this bridge had been first revealed on ndtv.com in January 2022. The brand new satellite tv for pc pictures from July 22, 2024, present autos on the black-topped bridge and transferring throughout the banks of Pangong Tso.

The bridge is close to the Line of Precise Management in Ladakh. Excessive-res right here  

New satellite tv for pc pictures accessed by NDTV present 4 buildings on the northern aspect of the lake. The bridge lies in territory held by China since 1958 close to the Line of Precise Management in Ladakh.

The 4 fortifications are positioned on the northern financial institution. Excessive-res right here

Khurnak Fort lies on the northern shore of Pangong Tso and has been in Chinese language-held territory since 1958. Earlier than 1958, the boundary between India and China was thought-about on the Khurnak Fort however the latter has wrested management since then. The development at Khurnak doesn’t characterize an incursion being presently held by India.

Khurnak Fort lies in territory held by China since 1958. Excessive-res right here

The satellite tv for pc picture accessed by NDTV exhibits a Chinese language fortification together with two helipads at Khurnak Fort. Through the 1962 India-China struggle, the Chinese language used the Khurnak Fort as its ahead headquarters for operations in Ladakh.

One other satellite tv for pc picture exhibits an present artillery web site. The Chinese language have additionally constructed interconnected protected trenches that run north to south.

The Chinese language have constructed interconnected protected trenches. Excessive-res right here

A satellite tv for pc picture exhibits an open defensive place, a possible web site of a Chinese language surface-to-air missile launcher, erector and transporter. An air defence web site may also be seen within the picture accessed by NDTV. A street runs parallel to the financial institution of Pangong Lake to move troops and gear. 

In one of many fortifications, China has constructed an air defence web site. Excessive-res right here

The Chinese language bridge has lower the journey distance between each banks by 50-100 kilometres, or a number of hours in journey time.

Requested to reply to the newest developments, the Exterior Affairs Ministry directed NDTV to a earlier assertion: “This bridge is being constructed in areas which were below unlawful occupation by China for round 60 years now. As you might be effectively conscious India has by no means accepted such unlawful occupation.”

Starting in Might 2020, Indian and Chinese language troopers had a sequence of violent skirmishes alongside the Line of Precise Management in Jap Ladakh. 20 Indian troopers had been killed in motion within the Galwan Valley which lies to the North of the Pangong Lake area being described on this report. China claims 4 of its troopers had been killed within the preventing although investigative experiences have indicated that the true quantity was nearer to 40 lifeless.

Troopers from either side additionally violently clashed on the North financial institution of the Pangong Lake although India and China agreed to cut back tensions within the space by making a demilitarised zone which noticed China take away dozens of buildings that they’d created between “Finger 4” and “Finger 8” – spurs which protrude into the Lake that are used as geographical markers to establish components of the Northern financial institution of Pangong.