In the winter of 2020, China vacated the area it occupied on the north bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh as part of the disengagement. However, its troops and equipment continue to remain deployed in the areas as per media reports.
Satellite imagery from open-source intelligence shows that from 11 May Chinese troops are present in Rutog County, located on the Xingiang-Tibet (G219) highway close to the eastern end of Pangong Lake.
Rutog is a strategically important area as it is linked to both Pangong and Spanggur Lakes (south of Pangong Tso, east of Kailash Range) by road, and it serves as a major logistical base for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
By having control of this area, the PLA can rapidly mobilize troops to deploy in forward positions against India using its road network.
The satellite image, posted on Twitter by open-source intelligence handle @detrasfa_, shows multiple rows of prefabricated living structures, indicative of the presence of a significant number of Chinese troops at the base.
#EXCLUSIVE – Recent Imagery from #Rutog near #PangongTso provides a glimpse into the scale & nature of #China's military commitment to the border conflict with #India, disengaged troops continue to hold here prepared for any threats towards China’s territorial claims #TheIntelLab pic.twitter.com/3OgpS33gH5
— d-atis☠️ (@detresfa_) May 15, 2021
A large motor pool, consisting of different types of vehicles, including those used by support and offensive units, can be seen in the imagery.
Among other things, the satellite image also shows a large number of camouflaged positions, which could be hosting suppliers of weaponry.
Earlier, reports had revealed that China had built structures between Kangxiwar, located on the G219 highway just north of Aksai Chin, and Rutog.
According to a report in India Today, at Kangxiwar and Rutog, the PLA has brought in 10,000 additional temporary troops to support the 10,000 permanent Chinese troops deployed at these locations and has started rotating troops along the LAC. After suffering a reversal in 2020, China has introduced two large field formations by inducting two fresh divisions in April.
By taking such aggressive posturing within the view of the Indian military and intelligence agencies, China is clearly not serious to abide by the disengagement agreement and seems to be just a ploy to recalibrate future action in this area.
The Indian Army is presently maintaining its posture in eastern Ladakh with a concentration of a large number of troops amid the Chinese Virus. Our troops, which had been moved back as part of the disengagement in the Pangong Lake area, remain vigilant in areas on the Indian side to deter Chinese misadventures.
Also, work on new roads and bridges in Ladakh continues unabated despite China’s aggressive maneuvers over the last year. The Border Roads Organisation appears to have improved its performance amid tensions along the LAC as India also builds a strong logistic hub.
On 27 April, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane visited eastern Ladakh to review operational preparedness.
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.