Officials revealed on Wednesday that China, a key ally of Pakistan, has been actively bolstering the defence capabilities of the Pakistani army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years. This assistance includes the construction of steelhead bunkers and the provision of Unmanned Aerial and Combat Aerial Vehicles.

Moreover, Chinese support extends to the installation of highly encrypted communication towers and the laying of underground fibre cables along the LoC. Advanced radar systems of Chinese origin, such as the ’JY’ and ’HGR’ series, have also been deployed to enhance medium and low-altitude target detection capabilities, providing crucial intelligence support for army and air defence units.

Additionally, the presence of the SH-15, a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer gun manufactured by a Chinese firm, has been noticed at various locations along the LoC. This move is perceived as part of efforts to strengthen China’s ties with Pakistan and safeguard Chinese investments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, particularly related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

While the presence of senior PLA officials at forward posts, as detected in 2014, was not found, intercepts suggested that Chinese troops and engineers were setting up infrastructure along the LoC, including building underground bunkers. Chinese experts were engaged in tunnel construction in the Leepa Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), indicating preparations for an all-weather road to connect with the Karakoram highway.

This strategic manoeuvre is linked to Beijing’s ambitious 46-billion-dollar CPEC project, aiming to establish a direct route between Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Xinjiang province in China through the Karakoram highway, an area under the illegal occupation of China.

Additionally, in 2007, a Chinese telecom company acquired a Pakistani telecom company and formed China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak) — a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation.

In August 2022, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) granted permission to CMPak (Zong) to expand Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) while renewing its mobile licence. The Indian Army has maintained silence on the matter, but intelligence agencies are reportedly monitoring the developments.

Concerns have arisen due to the continued presence of Chinese military personnel in the region, prompting objections from India regarding Chinese activities in the Gilgit and Baltistan areas in the past. Amid these tensions, Indian officials have stated that the country remains vigilant and prepared to counter any potential threats from across the border.

Image source: Business Today