ITBP steps up patrols amid Chinese incursions in Arunachal
ITBP has increased security in response to Chinese activities along the Arunachal Pradesh border.
India is preparing to host the BRICS summit in Delhi. There is speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping may also visit India for this summit. However, what will be India's stance if a confrontation occurs with Chinese soldiers on the disputed border before his potential visit? This is a significant question.
According to a report by The Telegraph, there are reports that activities by China have intensified on the Arunachal Pradesh border. In light of the Chinese army's incursions, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has increased vigilance. According to sources from the security organization, the ITBP is working to establish more border posts to address vulnerabilities in sensitive areas along the Arunachal Pradesh border.
Will India stand firm and confront Chinese soldiers on the ground, demanding their withdrawal? Or will India adopt a softer stance on this issue due to concerns over Xi Jinping's visit being affected? Such concerns are growing amid reports of Chinese soldiers' intrusions in the Upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh.
Strat News Global has claimed, citing a report from the Arunachal Times, that PLA soldiers have effectively blocked access to several critical patrolling points of Indian security forces in the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district. Additionally, they are continuously increasing their control over areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which have traditionally been used by Indian villagers for grazing and hunting.
Other reports have also warned of the Chinese army's 'aggressive patrolling' in the Ifi Twin Lakes area of West Dibang, located near the Zirkien La mountain pass close to the LAC. Similarly, there are reports of PLA activities in the Fish Tail-1 area of Dibang Valley and the Fish Tail-2 area south of Anjaw district. These reports also mention the Karbi Karpo mountain range in eastern Tibet, which connects to the McMahon Line in Arunachal Pradesh. However, concerns are not limited to this alone.
Retired Lieutenant General S.L. Narasimhan, who has served in this region and was India's Defence Attache in Beijing, told Strat News Global,
“We need to be extremely vigilant along the entire LAC, especially in the eastern sector. There have been face-offs here before. In December 2022, a similar confrontation occurred in the Yangtse area when hundreds of PLA soldiers attempted to intrude into Indian territory.”
Indian posts in this area are located at high altitudes, allowing them to monitor Chinese territory. Due to this strategic advantage, the Indian Army was able to deploy a sufficient number of troops in time and push back the Chinese soldiers.
China's increasing focus on Arunachal Pradesh may be linked to the assessment that incursions in Ladakh are no longer easy. Since the Galwan clash in 2020, both India and China have deployed approximately 50,000 soldiers each in Ladakh. The middle sector, which includes border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, also has some disputed points. Despite this, both countries have a relatively clear understanding of each other's claims and perspectives regarding the LAC.
India rejects China's claims that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of China. China claims territories in Arunachal Pradesh. The Army and ITBP are prepared to monitor China's activities. India emphasizes maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control. Diplomatic and military means will be used to resolve pending border issues.
According to sources, an official from the intelligence agency associated with the Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that this step has been taken amid the ongoing border dispute in this region, especially in Arunachal Pradesh. There are reports that Chinese patrols are violating the LAC in the eastern sector and showing aggression.
The official stated that additional border posts are being established, and more troops are being deployed mainly in those sensitive areas that have been previously suspected of Chinese incursions.
The official said,
The Indian Army and ITBP are closely monitoring the activities of Chinese patrols. ITBP sources have reported a significant increase in the deployment of Chinese soldiers along the LAC in the eastern sector over the past few months. It is reported that China has undertaken a major infrastructure development program in the eastern sector, which includes the construction of roads, tunnels, and highways, as well as airports, heliports, and air defense centers.
An ITBP official stated that to counter this, India has accelerated the construction of highways and roads along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. According to sources, China has claimed Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet. This claim was also made during the 1960 border talks, where they claimed approximately 69,000 square kilometers of the state's area. India has rejected these claims.
In 2020, there was a clash in the Galwan Valley, and after a prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh, relations between New Delhi and Beijing became tense. However, both sides have since taken steps to stabilize relations.