The tension between India and China at the actual Line of Actual Control (LAC) led the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to increase the scale of its training exercises in the eastern sector as they brought in multiple military assets for joint operations.
Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Pande said on Tuesday that China has been carrying out integrated joint operation exercises. “They are bringing together various elements of their armed forces. This year there has been an increase in scale and they have continued for longer duration,” he said while giving an assessment of Chinese activities based on surveillance reports.
“There has been some increase in the annual training in exercises in depth areas. Reserved formations continue to remain in training areas,” Lt Gen Pande said.
“There has also been a marginal increase in border defence troops by the Chinese,” Lt Gen Pande in charge of Army operations in the eastern sector that includes the 1,346 km long LAC in Arunachal Pradesh said.
When asked about some recent incidents of friction in the eastern sector, he said, ““We are enhancing surveillance close to the LAC. In certain areas our deployment was thin we have strengthened. Last one and half year have been a matter of concern for us. Eastern command enhanced its preparedness levels and capability to respond to any contingency.”
