China has set up radar station to monitor the movement of Indian planes near Line of Actual Control at the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector in Ladakh in Indian administered Kashmir.
New Delhi, Nov 5/Nationalturk – Concerned over landing of C-130J Super Hercules transport plane by India close to its border, China has set up radar station to monitor the movement of Indian planes near Line of Actual Control at the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector in Ladakh in Indian administered Kashmir.
According to media reports, the radar station has been set up Chinese side of DBO and has described as a ‘weather station’.
“Indian technical experts have been monitoring this station closely and opined that it could be a radar station, which did not exist before. However, no signal has been emitted or received so far,” media reports said.
‘China accelerated work on station in August’
Reports said China accelerated work on the station in August this year after Indian Air Force landed C-310J Hercules on a military air strip in DBO, sending a strong signal across.
“The matter was raised during border meetings of Indian and Chinese officials. During these meetings, Chinese side claimed it was a weather station. The claim contested was by Indian side saying there was no civilian population in the area,” media reports said.
India had activated DBO airstrip in 2008. It was after 43 years that India activated the airstrip by landing an Antonov-32 transport aircraft there. The airstrip was last used by India in 1965 war with Pakistan.
‘India better equipped to meet troops needs’
After landing Hercules at DBO airstrip, Indian Air Force is now in a better position to meet requirements of its troops in the forward areas on China border. The Indian troops on China border are heavily dependent on the air connectivity for sustenance in these higher and inhospitable areas.
According to security analysts, tactical airlift C130J-30 aircraft is capable of undertaking quick deployment of forces in all weather conditions, including airdrops and landings on unprepared or semi prepared surfaces.
Media reports said C130J-30 Hercules, which is capable of carrying upto 20 tonnes of food, has made at least seven landings at DBO so far.
Indian and Chinese troops were involved in a stand-off at DBO sector in April this year. About 50 Chinese soldiers had crossed the Line of Actual Control or de-facto border and set up a remote camp at Daulat Beg Oldie in the Depsang Valley, 19 kilometres into Indian territory. On May 6, both sides agreed to pull forces back to positions held before the confrontation, ending the 21 day stand-off.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
