China building road in PoK near Siachen glacier, satellite images show

Recent satellite images have revealed that China is constructing a concrete road in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) close to the Siachen Glacier, raising security concerns for India.

The road is being developed in the Shaksgam Valley, a part of PoK that was ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963. This area is an extension of China’s Highway G219, situated in Xinjiang, approximately 50 kilometers north of India’s northernmost point, Indira Col in the Siachen Glacier.

Satellite imagery from the European Space Agency indicates that construction of the road commenced between June and August last year. This development coincides with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent visits to the Siachen Glacier in March, highlighting the strategic significance of the region.

Former Commander of the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps, Lieutenant General Rakesh Sharma, has denounced China’s road construction as entirely illegal and has urged India to diplomatically oppose this action. The Fire and Fury Corps oversees operations in Kargil, Siachen Glacier, and Eastern Ladakh.

India has previously expressed concerns over similar road construction projects in PoK. Despite these concerns, Pakistan continues to facilitate such activities by China in these territories for commercial and strategic purposes. Experts fear that increased military cooperation between Pakistan and China resulting from these road projects could escalate tensions in the region.