Despite talks, China on a rapid radar race along LAC

India and China have been negotiating to resolve the border dispute for more than six months now. However, according to security sources, even amid the talks, China is rapidly deploying radars on the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Top sources told The Daily Guardian that a building and a watch tower have been reported to be built in Yicheng. The number of radars has also increased from three to four. Radars have also been placed at Pali and Fari Kyrang La near Sikkim. The radar site is two kilometres west of Kyarang La. There are four radars.

According to sources, infrastructure has been seen in Yemdrok Tso near Bhutan as well. About six kilometres north-east of Tsona is the Kuona Electronic Warfare Station. The site has three radomes, three radars and five support buildings. Infrastructure has been set up at the monitoring facility 2.6 kilometres northwest of the Tsona Dees Heli Base.

Top sources linked to security told The Daily Guardian that a radome site is six kilometres southwest of Ketchen Tso. The Kyomo Dej radar site has a two-story building, a control room and a smaller building. They are all surrounded by a wall. It has JY-24 radar.

In addition to the radars, China is also aggressively building infrastructure along the Line of Control. The Indian security establishment has observed the movement of cranes and building equipment. China is also building near the disputed Karakoram Pass and Rechin La.

New complexes have come up approximately 5.5 km north-east of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) camp, also known as Gobak Camp, in Rudok near Pangong Tso. Construction activity has also been carried out south of the PLA camp in Gyantse. China has also constructed a new building and six bunkers in Dejabu area under Yatung County for the accommodation of PLA personnel.

Shelters have also come up at Bumdro, which is opposite Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh. China has also made a road from the Tirkang to Shivung La. The work was undertaken from the uphill side of Tirkang village in the south-west direction towards Shiyung La. Two mobile communication towers have also been installed at Tirkang village.

China is also building permanent integrated habitable infrastructure and ‘model villages’ have also been noticed across the LAC. Besides this activity, China has been relocating its troops across the LAC too.

The deadlock in eastern Ladakh between India and China has been in place since May and both countries are meeting at the military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. Eight rounds of talks have been held between the forces of the two countries at the Corps Commander level so far, and the ninth round is to be held very soon. The talks between the two countries are going on to remove their troops from the forward area and maintain peace, but India has simultaneously made full preparations to avoid any intrusion.