After the martyrdom of 20 soldiers in a violent clash with Chinese soldiers near Galwan valley, India is steadily ramping up its military strength in Ladakh.
According to an Economic Times report, the latest step taken by the Indian Air Force was to send in Apache attack choppers and upgraded MiG-29 fighter jets deployed at the Leh airbase.
The IAF operates several air force bases in Jammu and Kashmir – with Srinagar, Awantipora and Leh operating either fighter squadrons or fighter detachments.
The Air Force Chief visited Leh on June 17 and Srinagar Airbase on June 18. Both these airbases are near the eastern Ladakh region. Leh and Srinagar airbases will be used if any fighter aircraft operation is required in the higher areas.
That apart, additional troops have been sent towards Eastern Ladakh and the Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria is currently in Leh, overlooking preparations.
Thousands of troops from locations all over the country are being moved into the Ladakh region as border tensions worsen after the Galwan Valley attack.
“The Air Force chief was on a two-day visit where he checked the operational readiness of all the platforms that have been moved to the area in view of the Chinese aggression along the LAC in the Eastern Ladakh where more than 10,000 troops have been amassed by China,” ANI quoted government sources as saying.
Military chopper and fighter jet activity seen in Leh, Ladakh pic.twitter.com/1OoeEIPgrw
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2020
China has reportedly deployed more than 10,000 troops near the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. In such a situation, the Air Force Chief reviewed the operational preparedness to deal with any situation.
The IAF’s Sukhoi jets are carrying out regular sorties in the Ladakh region amid new border tensions with China, making sure that every Indian, as well as Chinese camp positions, are monitored frequently.
Apart from Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar fighter aircraft fleet have also been stationed at advanced positions from where they can fly in at a very short notice to carry out operations.
According to Times Now, the IAF and is making sure that they are not without adequate rations, equipment and ammunition for which CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters have been deployed.
As stated by ET, Apache helicopters are designed to carry out offensive missions at high altitude locations and the Chinese have no match for them. The Apache, which is the first attack helicopter in India’s defence arsenal, can also be used as bunker busters in the mountainous areas. Apaches are closely monitoring the enemy position to ensure the PLA does not move from the position it is known to be and any movement is immediately reported back to the base.
