Reasons China Has Gone Underground In Aksai Chin

Satellite Photos of a site, purported to be in Aksai Chin, gone viral on Social Media, and have gained importance as Mr. Rahul Gandhi also has raised this issue during his August,23 motorcycle trip to Ladakh. This site is located on East of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The territory in question has presently under Chinese Control since 1953-54, though always been claimed by India. These Satellite Images depict massive Chinese Underground Construction 60 kilometers East of Depsang Plains in Northern Ladakh. It is clear that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China has carved out Tunnels and Shafts into the hillside along a narrow River Valley. This dubious construction consists of a number of Reinforced Shelters and Bunkers for Soldiers and Heavy Weapons. Very knowledgeable, keen Observers could identify/point out about 11 Portals or Shafts bored into the Rockface on Both Banks of the River Valley.A comparison of Satellite Images, over the past three to four months, does indicate the presence of few Earth-moving Machines and Massive Construction Activity. Construction is probably meant for the protection of PLA Soldiers and Heavy Weapons from Indian Airstrikes and Extended Range Artillery Bombardment.

 

It is prudent to know that, China has issued her Latest Maps showing Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh as her Own Territory in the last week of August, 2023. This, naturally, has been rightly rejected by the Indian Foreign Minister pointing out that "This is an Old Chinese Habit since 1954. But, mere, issue of Maps showing Parts of India as her own, doesn't change things. India is very clear about 'What Our Territory Is'. Such Absurd Claims do not make 'Other People's Territories Yours".

As per Defence Analysts/Experts, Chinese Activities in Aksai Chin, are an Act of Desperation, to offset Indian Tactical/Strategic Advantage. Construction of Underground Facilities and Development of Subterranean Infrastructure,so close to LAC,is to Counterbalance the Current Advantage held by IAF and Heavy Artillery of Army in this Region.After Galwan Clash in 2020, Indian Army has greatly enhanced Offensive Fire Power of her Long Range Artillery/Rocket Artillery/Missile.This Offensive Capability of our Army has forced PLA to go/move Underground Carving into Hillsides.These/Such Massive Construction Activities of Hardened Shelters, Bunkers, Tunnels and Widening of Roads is to mitigate Indian Strategic Advantage, which probably,has Changed/Altered, prevailing Chinese Deployment Doctrine in Tibet.

 

Therefore, these Chinese Activities in Aksai Chin can be considered as acts to offset Indian Strategic Advantage.China is hardening her Military Presence in Ladakh against possible Artillery and Airstrikes in the event of a Full Scale Military Escalation.These Reinforced Positions and Underground Equipment Storage Facilities will definitely enhance Chinese ability to Continue Operations and Limit Attrition during a Full Scale Conflict in Ladakh. This area was/has been a Key Staging Point in 2020 during Multiple Incursions by PLA in Ladakh.But now, China is Completely Transforming this Area with Ongoing Massive Construction Activities.These Bunkers are designed to dissipate Pressure Impact of Bombardment.Every such Locality of Bunkers will have Two to Five Portals/Tunnels on each site carved into Hillside.Earth around Bunkers has been raised with Distinctive Fork Design meant to provide Additional Protection from Direct Arty/Air Attacks and to Dissipate Impact Of Pressure from Bombardment.Satellite Images show a Wide Primary Road cutting across valley. This Road has been substantially widened compared to Past..Presently,IAF operates from Frontline Air Bases in Ladakh. Till 2020,Srinagar and Avantipura were Frontline IAF Fighter Bases.But recently India has extended Runway at Nyoma near Pangong Lake. This extension has enabled IAF to host fighter aircraft less than 50 kilometres from LAC.

 

Chinese Fortifications in Aksai Chin and her Adamant Attitude in recent issues of Maps clearly indicate that she is NOT READY to end Present Extended Military Standoff with India. The construction activity in Aksai Chin may/will extend to Other Border Areas up to Arunachal-Tibet Frontier. There was minimal construction activity in this River Valley in 202o-21. But it is a totally transformed site in August 2023. On one side, Chinese President showed willingness to de escalate situation along LAC during BRICKS Conference in end August,2023. 19th Formation Commanders Conference between PLA and Indian Army at the same time, mutually agreed to Establish No Patrol Zones in Eastern Ladakh.But, this River Valley Construction has come as a Major Shock to this process.

Indications are clear.Chinese Decision to invest in Hardened Military Complexes in close proximity of LAC, very clearly indicates that she is "Digging In For A Long Haul. China will, henceforth,pursue an Aggressive LAC Strategy, with complete disregard to her relationship with India.Her Cratering Economy,Possibility of Sure Shot confrontation with America/ NATO over Taiwan/ South China Sea and/or Disputes in Western Pacific will not deter her in doing so. Her Recent Activities in Aksai Chin indicate her resolve to be permanently deployed in Frontline Areas against India.Galwan Incidence of June,2020 was forerunner to this Strategy.India has immensely accelerated Forward Air Bases,Road and Bunker Construction in Ladakh since Galwan Clash. Construction of Darbuk Shyok Daulat Beg Oldi Road, connecting Leh with the sensitive Daulat Beg Oldie is Major Initiative.Till now, IAF was air feeding Brigade at DBO. This road with an under construction Tunnel will facilitate maintenance of DBO Garrison and Air Base.

 

One thing must be borne in mind,Aksai Chin is under Chinese Control since 1954.Per say, like Tibet,it is her territory,whether we like it or not.She can do anything she wishes to, there.We can Protest but Can Not Stop her;in the same way she cannot Stop Our Activities in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.We must continue strengthening both Ladakh and Arunachal as quickly as possible without paying any heed to Chinese Activities in Aksai Chin or opposite Arunachal.People can shout to glory from rooftops without any avail.But, Protest we must. Otherwise,it will be a repetition of 1954 when we kept quiet and let China has her say.Our inaction resulted in China getting Full and Firm Control of Aksai Chin. Therefore,Diplomatic Procedure must be followed to last letter.China is not going to relax her Claims or Pressure on Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. As per Chinese Schedule of War;as given by Shi Jin Ping in Plenary Session of Chinese Communist Party in December, 2022;China will definitely attack India by 2047.We have to be prepared for this eventually. Indian Armed Forces are ready to take on China any time.It is the Government who has to Think Rationally,Take the Call and give All Out Required Assistance to our Armed Forces.