Ladakh build-up: Navy to deploy hulled boats on Pangong Tso to counter China

In its latest show of strength in the Ladakh area, the Indian Navy will be deploying a dozen high-powered, top-of-the-line surveillance equipped steel boats to match up to the heavier Type 928 B vessels of the Chinese Army’s lake fleet, reported Hindustan Times.

The report said the decision was taken by the tri-services this week and the Navy’s been asked to transport the vessels through C-17 heavy-lift transporters to Leh on priority.

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The Pangong Lake has been a major centre of dispute between India and China with the latter restricting patrolling of Indian Army in the areas beyond Finger 4. Fingers refer to the spurs of the mountain meeting the lake. India claims the land from Finger 1 to 8 as its own while China claims that from Finger 8 to 4. China which has created a major build-up on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), recently inscribed a Mandarin symbol and a map between Finger 4 and Finger 5 of the Pangong Tso Lake, not allowing Indian forces to patrol beyond Finger 4.

The build-up by both sides come in the backdrop of military-level talks of de-escalation between both the troops. China on its part has shown no signs of moving back, and has instead strengthened its hold over disputed areas. From beefing up troops at Galwan Valley, building roads at Gogra point, upgrading communications at Hot Springs and increasing patrol at Pangong Tso, China has reinforced military arrangements in the four stand-off points along the 1,597 km border with India.

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Having got a free hand from the government, Indian troops and the Air Force are ready to tackle any situation at the border, the report said. The Indian side, however, have been instructed not to engage until provoked and preferably wait for the tension to decelerate.