NB Explains | China digging tunnels, building underground bunkers close to LAC in Aksai Chin
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New Delhi, Aug 30: Following its new provocation over new standard map, now China is ramping up the construction of reinforced personnel bunkers and underground facilities in Aksai Chin, at a location about 70km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The aim is to enhance its military assets from aerial or missile strikes near LAC.
China’s activity near LAC
New satellite imagery obtained from Maxar Technologies, a US-based space company, claims that between 6 December 2021 and 18 August 2023, China has aggressively strengthened its presence in the Aksai Chin region about 70 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The images reveal that Chinese troops have been digging tunnels and shafts into a hillside along a narrow river valley to construct multiple reinforced shelters and bunkers for soldiers and weaponry. Moreover, a closer look at the satellite imagery shows that the earth has been raised, indicating underground bunkers. Also, entry and exit areas have a distinctive fork design meant to dissipate the impact of pressure from bombardment.
🚨 New satellite images show China constructing a mega underground military complex in occupied Aksai Chin (50 kms from the LAC) - More than 10 tunnels, reinforced bunkers carved into rockface. pic.twitter.com/eycF3Eku5B
— OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) August 29, 2023
Reports suggest that there are at least 11 portals or shafts bored into the rockface on both banks of the river valley. The Chinese side has built reinforced bunkers and underground facilities at six locations in the same region, according to reports.
A comparison with older images from the same area prior to Galwan valley clash between Indian Army and China's PLA along LAC in eastern Ladakh, reveals considerable activity, including the presence of earth-moving machinery, new roads and multiple entrances for underground facilities.
Expert speak
The new construction activity is a clear indicator that China has no clear intentions of disengaging at the LAC or resolve border issues amicably.
Damien Symon, a leading satellite imagery expert with The Intel Lab, analysing the imagery, is of the opinion that China’s underground move is looking to offset the advantage the Indian Air Force brings to the playing field. On rebranded X, he also wrote, “This shift in strategy unfortunately also means, they are digging in for the long haul.”
China appears to be going underground in Aksai Chin, likely as it looks to offset the advantage the Indian Air Force brings to the playing field, this shift in strategy unfortunately also means, they are digging in for the long haul https://t.co/PcOdMbNUJ0
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) August 29, 2023
This development comes against the backdrop of China once again turning to its old habit of claiming the area of Aksai Chin region in Ladakh and the state of Arunachal Pradesh as its own in their new standard maps.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has dismissed the move, telling NDTV, “China has put out maps with territories (that are) not theirs. (It is an) old habit. Just by putting out maps with parts of India… this doesn’t change in anything. Our government is very clear about what our territory. Making absurd claims does not make other people’s territories yours.”
Notably, during an informal conversation on the margins of the Brics Summit in Johannesburg last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Chinese President Xi Jinping that maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas and respecting the LAC are “essential” for normalising bilateral relations.