Satellite Pics: China’s New Base Near Pangong Lake “Unlike Any Other Site”

New Delhi:

Senior Indian military sources who have analysed satellite imagery of a new Chinese base on the North bank of the Pangong Lake say that the site ”is unlike any other site” that lies on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual control.

The site in question, images of which have been published in this report, lies 36 kilometres East of the LAC on territory China holds. It is approximately 15 km East of a new bridge that China has constructed across the high-altitude Pangong Lake in Ladakh and marks Beijing’s latest effort at stepping up pressure in areas near the Line of Actual Control which were previously unoccupied.  Military sources say the site, which features upwards of 70 permanent structures, ”has been dispersed over a wide area.  This has been done to reduce the potential impact of missile attacks.” The site appears to have two primary functions – to accommodate soldiers and porters who are involved in China’s construction activity in the area.  And to store logistics for potential transfer to locations along the LAC with India.  ”Each structure can accommodate 6-8 soldiers or up to 10 tonnes of logistics,” say military experts. This can include ammunition, including artillery shells