Situation along China border stable but unpredictable, says Army Chief Manoj Pande

The Army Chief said that ceasefire along Line of Control is holding but cross-border support to terrorism remains

With India and China ironing out some of the thorny border issues in eastern Ladakh, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Thursday said the situation along the tense Sino-Indian border remained “stable but unpredictable” even as China enhanced its troop strength across the eastern border.

Addressing the annual press conference ahead of the 75th Army Day, Gen Pande said there had been a “slight increase” in the number of troops across the eastern border, as (PLA) soldiers who came for training exercises did not return to their bases.

“The situation along the northern border is stable and under control, but unpredictable at the same time. Our preparedness is at a high-level with adequate forces and reserve. We are well poised to meet any challenge, adequate force levels and reserves are available,” he said.

Asked about the Doklam area where the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was expanding its strength, Gen Pande said the army was keeping a close watch on the situation and closely monitoring the Chinese activities.

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Giving a detailed account on infrastructure development in areas close to India’s 3,488 km disputed boundary with China, Gen Pande said the government spent close to Rs 1,300 crore to build habitat for 55,000 troops in eastern Ladakh besides creating covered facility with heating to store 400 odd howitzers and 500 tanks and armoured vehicles.

On all-weather connectivity to Ladakh and Kameng sectors, he said two more tunnels at Zojila pass and Z-More would be operational by the middle of 2023 proving better access to Ladakh from Kashmir valley. On the eastern side, the Sela tunnel would be ready by around the same time frame providing better connectivity to Tawang. A second tunnel is coming up at Nechiphu near Bomdila.

For creating alternate routes to strategic locations in Ladakh, a new tunnel is being constructed at Shinku La along the Darcha-Padum-Nimmu road, which would serve as an alternate axis to the Manali-Leh highway. An alternative to the important Darbuk-Shyok-DBO road through Saser La is also being planned.

On the Pakistan front, Gen Pande said infiltration attempts were now concentrated more or less in south of Pir Panjal range (Jammu region) where attempts were made to use drones to drop weapons, ammunition and trigger explosions. In 2022, there were 12 infiltration attempts in which 18 infiltrators were gunned down by the security forces.

When asked how the Russia-Ukraine conflict impacted the army that traditionally uses a large number of materials sourced from these two nations, Gen Pande said the Army carried out its own assessment of how to sustain such weapons and received approvals for 40 cases.

A major military diplomacy exercise is also on the anvil with the Indian Army inviting 40 African countries for an exercise in Pune, along with a conclave of the Army Chiefs from these nations.

Gen Pande said a proposal has been sent to the government to allow entry of women officers in the artillery regiments, but no decision yet to include women in combat arms like infantry and mechanised infantry.