 "Satellite images reveal China's military build-up near Pangong Lake, India's western border")
According to satellite pictures, China’s military is preparing for the long haul in the area surrounding Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh, having built subterranean bunkers to store weapons and fuel, as well as hardened shelters for armoured vehicles at a crucial base in the region.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) post at Sirjap, hidden among mountains on the northern bank of Pangong Lake, is the headquarters for Chinese forces stationed around the lake. It was established in an area claimed by India and is around 5 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Until the start of the LAC conflict in May 2020, this region was nearly entirely free of human settlements.
The station, which will be erected between 2021 and 2022, will have subterranean bunkers that may be used to store missile systems, fuel, or other supplies, according to photos given by BlackSky, a US-based company capable of obtaining photographs 15 times each day with its satellites. One photograph, taken on May 30, clearly depicts the eight sloping entrances to a massive subterranean bunker. A smaller bunker with five entrances is positioned near the bigger one.
Aside from many big command buildings, the site contains reinforced shelters and covered parking for armoured vehicles stationed in the region. According to experts, these shelters are designed to shield cars from air assaults using precision-guided weapons.
On the condition of anonymity, a BlackSky analyst said the base hosts an expanse of armoured vehicle storage facilities, test ranges, and fuel and munitions storage buildings. According to the analyst, the base’s current construction comprises artillery and other defensive positions fortified by enormous berms and connected by a vast network of roads and trenches that are not apparent on publicly available mapping apps.
The outpost is located somewhat more than 120 km southeast of Galwan Valley, the location of a deadly combat in June 2020 that killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese forces.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThere was no immediate response from Indian officials to the photographs. A former Indian Army general who deployed in the region surrounding Pangong Lake, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said China’s expanded development of subterranean infrastructure made perfect military sense.
According to those familiar with the situation, India has built a number of roads, bridges, tunnels, airfields, and helipads around its borders for military movement and logistics support since the stalemate began in 2020.
India’s infrastructure development has focused on improving troops’ living conditions and amenities, as well as protecting weapons and equipment in forward regions. This border infrastructure drive has been fueled by greater investment and the rapid implementation of important projects to assist military operations.
In 2023-24, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed 125 infrastructure projects totaling ₹3,611 crore, including the Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.
The developments at Pangong Lake coincide with new images indicating increased Chinese military activity at Shigatse air base, a dual-use high-altitude airport in the Tibet Autonomous Region’s second largest city, and the disputed Doklam tri-junction, the site of a 73-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in 2017.
While satellite photographs from earlier this year showed roughly half a dozen Chengdu J-20s, China’s most sophisticated stealth combat fighter, at the Shigatse facility, a BlackSky image dated May 30 showed six J-20s parked next to eight Chengdu J-10 multi-role combat jets on the centre apron.
The Shigatse facility is around 300 km from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Hasimara base in West Bengal, which contains a squadron of Rafale combat planes. Experts think China’s deployment of J-20s is aimed at combating the IAF’s Rafales, which are among its most modern aircraft.
While some J-20s have been deployed in Xinjiang, the majority of these planes have been stationed in China’s coastal and interior regions, and their deployment in Tibet signals a significant shift, according to analysts. A more recent satellite image from June 30 showed at least two J-10 planes on the centre apron of the Shigatse Air Base.
Satellite photographs of the Doklam plateau show China maintaining an extensive network of roads that connect military equipment near the disputed boundary with India. A large number of military vehicles were discovered in a satellite photograph from April, both in the rear base and forward
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
