New Delhi: Post-Doklam, Chinese and Indian security forces have locked horns yet again near Bishing in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang, according to a report by the Hindustan Times on Wednesday.
The standoff started after Chinese road construction personnel entered almost one kilometer into the Indian territory in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh in late December but retreated after being stopped by Indian troops. Two excavators and other equipment were seized by the Indian army.
The Chinese track-alignment and excavation activity near Bishing was first detected in late December by some villagers.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Wednesday said that his country had “never acknowledged the existence of so-called Arunachal Pradesh” while maintaining he was “unaware” about any Chinese intrusion in the Tuting area last month.
India maintains a strong military presence in Arunachal Pradesh and currently, four infantry divisions are present near the border to tackle the Chinese incursion. The IAF has activated six ALGs – Tuting, Mechuka, Along, Passighat, Vijaynagar, and Ziro – along the India-China border for fast mobility of troops and supplies to remote areas in the state.
In 2016, the upgraded Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated. Replete with facilities such as aprons for ground maneuvering, Air Traffic Control Tower, perimeter road and a security wall, the ALG will facilitate operations of fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters of both civil and military operators.
Tawang AFS is already operational due to the border security needs of the country from the northeastern side where different states especially Arunachal Pradesh share their borders with China.
China has established a permanent presence in the Bhutanese territory of Doklam, with the construction of two helipads, upgraded roads, scores of pre-fabricated huts, shelters and stores to withstand the chill in the high-altitude region. According to reports around 1,600-1,800 Chinese troops are present there.
Last year in April, China for the first time announced “standardized” official names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh. The official names of the six places are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoid ngarbo Ri, Mainquka, B mo La and Namkapub Ri.
The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). While China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covers the Aksai Chin area, which was occupied by China during the 1962 war.
