New Satellite Image Shows China Constructing Bridge On Its Side Of Pangong Lake In Ladakh: Report

China is building a bridge on its side of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh. PTI sources said that the bridge is at a distance of around 40 km from the alignment of the LAC in the region.

New Delhi: Amid the prolonged military standoff between India and China, a new satellite image emerged on Monday that shows China building a bridge on its side of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh.

According to news agency PTI, people familiar with the development said that the satellite imagery is of an area on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near the Galwan valley region.

Following their deadly clashes on June 15, 2020, the armies of India and China had created a buffer zone in Galwan valley.

On January 1, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets and greetings at 10 border posts along the LAC including in eastern Ladakh to mark the New Year.

PTI reported sources as saying that the bridge is at a distance of around 40 km from the alignment of the LAC in the region. They said India has also been developing infrastructure in the region at a rapid pace.

Geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon posted a satellite image on Twitter suggesting that the new bridge was being constructed by China to link the North and South banks of Pangong lake.

The news agency further reported military experts as stating that the aim of constructing the bridge in the Khurnak area could be to ensure that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is able to quickly mobilise its troops in the region.

The Indian military sources mentioned that India has been developing infrastructure in all key areas along the LAC while adding that India is aware of Chinese activities in the region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had last week inaugurated the Chisumle-Demchok road at Umling La Pass at over 19,000 feet in Ladakh. It is considered a key stretch for military purposes.

China has been focusing on strengthening its military infrastructure after Indian troops took control of several strategic peaks on the southern bank of Pangong lake in August 2020 following the Chinese PLA’s attempt to intimidate them in the area.

The eastern Ladakh border standoff between the armies of India and China erupted on May 5, 2020, after a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.

Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers along with heavy weaponry.

Last year, as a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, both sides completed the disengagement process in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

However, the 13th round of Corps Commander-level military talks in October ended in a stalemate with the Indian Army stating that the “constructive suggestions” made by it were not agreeable to the Chinese side.

In its year-end review, the defence ministry had last Friday mentioned that it held several rounds of military talks with the Chinese side to deescalate the situation in eastern Ladakh without compromising on its stand of “complete disengagement and immediate restoration of status quo ante”.

India has been stressing its demand for returning to the status quo that existed before the face-off erupted.

Currently, each side is reported to have around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

(With Agency Inputs)