Amid mounting tensions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China has stepped up and deployed two divisions of its Army on the Indian border. An additional 10,000 troops in China’s Tibet and Xinjiang provinces have been conducting military exercises in recent days. In response, the Indian Army too has increased its deployment. But in a new development, China is now conspiring with Pakistan to open two fronts for India.
Government sources have told The Daily Guardian that there have been several meetings between Chinese and Pakistani military officials, after which Pakistan has deployed 20,000 troops in Gilgit-Baltistan, adjacent to Ladakh in the north. Seeing the opportunity amid ongoing tensions between India and China in Ladakh, Pakistan has deployed two Army divisions near LoC in Gilgit-Baltistan. The deployment of about 20,000 troops near the LoC of the Pakistan Army is being seen as an attempt to put pressure on India. Pakistan is making such moves at the behest of China, sources say. A few days ago, a Chinese air refuelling aircraft landed at Pakistan’s Skardu Airport in the region.
According to the intelligence agencies, China is alarmed by the ongoing action in India and is in contact with several terrorist organisations to spread violence in Kashmir Valley. Talks have been held with Jaishe-Mohammed and al-Badr regarding this and China wants Jaish to carry out several major attacks in the Valley, especially on troops and central paramilitary forces and installations to divert India’s attention.
According to sources, the number of troops deployed by Pakistan this time is far more than the number deployed during the Balakot airstrike. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s air defence radar is also keeping a 24-hour eye on the entire region.
With the deployment of troops on the Pakistan-China border and efforts to incite violence in the Valley, India will have to fight terrorism on two fronts, and also in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Indian security agencies are also keeping an eye on China’s every move on the LAC. The Indian Navy is sending over a dozen state-of-the-art and powerful boats to Ladakh for patrolling. This will make it easier for the Indian Army to patrol Pangong Tso and respond to the Chinese Army’s 928Btype ships.
Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh is at the heart of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aggression. The Indian Army has increased its deployment at strategic points and is supplying tankweapons.
A security official told The Daily Guardian, “We are monitoring every activity of China.”
During the talks, China had promised to withdraw, but instead, it has been increasing its deployment on the border. The increasing deployment of Chinese troops on the LAC raises suspicions that China is not sticking to its words of withdrawal of military troops from the LAC.