China has significantly enhanced the defense capabilities of the Pakistani army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years, according to officials on Wednesday. This support includes constructing steelhead bunkers, providing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Combat Aerial Vehicles (CAVs), and installing encrypted communication towers along with underground fiber cables.
China has deployed advanced radar systems along with LoC such as the ‘JY’ and ‘HGR’ series to enhance medium and low-altitude target detection capabilities besides providing crucial intelligence support for the army and air defence units. Also, the presence of the SH-15, a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer gun manufactured by a Chinese firm, has been noticed at various locations along the LoC.
China’s efforts are seen as an attempt to fortify ties with Pakistan and protect investments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, particularly concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Though the presence of senior PLA officials at forward posts, as was detected in 2014, was not found, some intercepts suggested that Chinese troops and engineers were setting up infrastructure along the LoC, including building underground bunkers, officials said.
Chinese experts were engaged in tunnel construction in the Leepa Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), signaling preparations for an all-weather road to connect with the Karakoram highway, they said.
This strategic move is linked to Beijing’s ambitious 46-billion-dollar CPEC project, aiming to establish a direct route between Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Xinjiang province in China through the Karakoram highway, an area under the illegal occupation of China.
In 2007, a Chinese telecom company had taken over a Pakistani telecom company and formed China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak) – a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation. In August 2022, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), while renewing the mobile licence of CMPak (Zong) for PoK, permitted the expansion of ‘Next Generation Mobile Services’ (NGMS) in the region.
While the Indian Army has maintained silence on the matter, intelligence agencies are reportedly being kept informed of the developments. The continued presence of Chinese military personnel in the region has raised concerns, with India voicing objections to Chinese activities in Gilgit and Baltistan areas in the past. As tensions persist, India remains vigilant and prepared to thwart any potential threats emanating from across the border, officials said.
With inputs from PTI.
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