Indian Army’s latest ‘weapon’ against China in Ladakh: Two-hump camel

The famous two-hump camels of Ladakh will soon be inducted into the Indian Army to help troops patrol along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The Indian Army has embarked on a major plan in the icy parts of Ladakh. The Indian Army will now use special Bactrian two-hump camel for patrolling in hilly areas.

These camels can carry 170 kg at an altitude of about 17,000 feet in the east Ladakh region. With this weight, they can do patrolling of up to 12 km. The Bactrian camels are to be deployed in a 17,000 feet
high area of east Ladakh. It is said that they can live without food and water for three days.

Bactrian camels are very well adapted to the difficult conditions of Ladakh. Sources say that Bactrian camels may be deployed in parts of Daulat Beg Oldie or DBO and Depsang. Efforts are being made to continue the patrolling work in the high mountain areas of Ladakh.In such a situation, special training is also being given to the soldiers before deploying Bactrian camels.

Till now, the Indian Army used field mules, which have a carrying capacity of about 40 kg. Since April,
tensions have been high along the LAC between India and China. The situation turned for the worse
after a violent clash between soldiers on both sides in the Galwan Valley in mid-June. In this confrontation, 20 Indian soldiers died, while many soldiers of China were also killed.

At the same time, at the end of August and the beginning of September, the Chinese army had unsuccessfully tried to infiltrate into Ladakh. There have also been three firing incidents at the LAC in the last one month. India has increased its military strength in Ladakh in view of rising tensions.