Marginal increase in Chinese Army patrolling, Indian Army commander raises concern

New Delhi: There has been a marginal increase in the patrolling of the Chinese Army along the border and also in the annual training exercises, according to the Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Pande.

“China is 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 a longer duration,” said Lt Gen Pande.

He further added, “There has been a marginal increase in PLA patrols in some areas but there is no noticeable change in patrolling patterns. There has been some increase in the annual training in exercises in depth areas. Reserved formations continue to remain in training areas.”

He also said that last one and half year has been a matter of concern, “Last one and a half years have been a matter of concern for us. The Eastern command enhanced the preparedness levels and capability to respond to any contingency,” said the Eastern Army Commander.

He further clarified that patrolling patterns have just increased marginally, ““We’ve enhanced our surveillance both in LAC and depth areas. We have adequate force available in each sector to deal with any contingency that arrives. Patrolling pattern has not increased or changed much, in some areas there is a marginal increase,” said the Army Commander.

The officer further said that the Indian Army has inducted surveillance drones, better surveillance radars, communication systems and also better night vision ability. “Introduction of technology has remained one of our key areas and a number of steps have been taken towards it,” said Lt Gen Pande.

China-Bhutan Pact

Bhutan and China recently had sign an agreement on “three-step roadmap” to which India had vigilantly responded ‘noted’

The signing of the pact came four years after the Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a 73-day standoff at the Doklam tri-junction after China tried to extend a road in the area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it.