Even as the line of Control (loC) in Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the last two weeks, China has violated Indian airspace at least 28 times in the last three years mostly in ladakh sector.
This has forced India to expedite its infrastructure development in all the States along the line of Actual Control (lAC) from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh to counter any threat from China. In fact, Chinese intruded into Indian airspace at least four times in the last four months including the 20-day period when a face-off ensued between the two
Armies in Depsang Valley, ladakh in April. The Chinese helicopters come into the Indian airspace and drop leaflets on the villages there claiming that the land belongs to China. New Delhi has repeatedly taken up the issue with Beijing through mutually agreed mechanisms but given the strategic nature of the lAC, the Government has asked the armed forces to speed up the process of installation of radars and other surveillance equipment to detect intrusions.
In fact, the transgressions by Chinese figured prominently in the lok Sabha last week when nearly 30 MPs cutting across party lines asked the Government about details these violations and measures taken to meet any threat. Giving a written reply, Defence Minister AK Antony said during the past three years from January 2010 till July 2013, a total of 28 violations of Indian airspace by other countries were reported. While he refrained from naming China, most of the airspace intrusions were done by China including two in July in ladakh sector when Chinese helicopters came inside Indian territory and returned after few minutes.
When asked about details of Indian territory under Chinese occupation, the Minister said nearly 38,000 square kms of land in Jammu & Kashmir is under occupation. In addition, Pakistan has illegally ceded approximately 5,180 square kms of Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to China. The 4,500-km long lAC between India and China stretches from ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. This line is divided into three sectors —including west (ladakh), middle (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) and eastern (Arunachal Pradesh).
While the middle sector is relatively peaceful, the ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh sectors frequently witness transgressions by the Chinese. Their troops come into India from across the lAC claiming that it is Chinese territory. Indian troops also undertake patrols up to their perception of the lAC. As regards developing infrastructure including roads in these remote areas, China has already linked all its posts across the lAC in ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh with all weather roads. Moreover, it has developed at least ten airfields in Tibet besides 10,000-km long rail network there to maintain logistical lines for its forward troops.
India is in a disadvantageous position there as topography is more rugged and steep in ladakh and Arunachal as compared to plateau across the lAC. This makes road building very difficult and the work force gets only four to five months in a year to construct roads as the snow and heavy rains hamper work in rest of the months. Despite these constraints, at least four airfields in ladakh were operationalised in the last three years apart from six in Arunachal Pradesh. Moreover, development of nearly 30 other big and small air fields in the North-East is expected to be completed within the next two years.
These airfields and helipads will ensure round the year supply of weapons, ammunition and other logistical support to the troops posted in remote and rugged terrain all along the lAC. Also, the Government has asked Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to complete the construction of 17 strategic roads in Arunachal Pradesh in the next two to three years.