Defense

Sources said the Indian side has prepared very well for responding to the Chinese reaction in view of the action by own troops including a Special Operations unit and Sikh Light Infantry troops there. One of the Indian Army jawans also lost his life in an anti-personnel mine explosion while patrolling in the area. The Indian side has done heavy deployment of armoured regiments including the BMP Infantry Combat Vehicles and different types of tanks flown in from armoured divisions from the plains.

India has announced that it is withdrawing from multilateral Military Exercise Kavkaz 2020 to be held in Russia next month. Defence Ministry said, Russia and India are close and privileged strategic partners and at Russia’s invitation India has been participating in many international events.

India is all set to launch the bidding process by next month for a Rs 55,000-crore mega project to build six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy to narrow the gap with China’s growing naval prowess, government sources said on Sunday.

The Indian Navy has reportedly deployed one of its frontline warships in the South China Sea, much to the displeasure of the Chinese, who raised objections during diplomatic talks between the two nations. The warship was reportedly deployed in the South China Sea after the June 15 clash with Chinese PLA troops in the Galwan Valley, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed.

Chinese troops “carried out provocative military movements” near Pangong Tso lake on Saturday night but were blocked by Indian soldiers who were fully prepared, the government said today. The Chinese tried to intrude into the south bank of the Pangong Tso, which is of huge significance as it is a new area. Brigade Commander-level officers were in talks at Chushul to defuse tension, the government said.

A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit hideout was busted on Friday in Tral area near Awantipora in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Incriminating material of the proscribed outfit has been recovered from the hideout along with food items and other material.

As stand-off with China remains unresolved, the Indian Army gears up for formidable logistical challenges posed by harsh climate at heights exceeding 12,000 feet and temperature as extreme as minus 50 degrees Celsius.