The ongoing tension in eastern Ladakh has not subsided yet and China has created mischief in Arunachal Pradesh! What is its intention?

New Delhi : The tension with China in the eastern Ladakh sector on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for the last 4 and a half years has not yet subsided and the dragon has now started mischief near Arunachal. It has built a new heliport near the LAC set from Arunachal Pradesh. This has been revealed from satellite images. This move of China can further increase the tension between the two countries. China has already settled hundreds of modern villages in the areas adjacent to the LAC, which is called Xiaokang. It has settled these villages in such a way that they can also be used for military purposes. Due to these mischiefs, questions are being raised on China’s intentions.

The heliport is located in the ‘Fishtail’ region and is supposed to give China the ability to rapidly deliver military resources to this remote area. The heliport is located along the Gongrigabu Qi River in Nyingchi Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Satellite images show that no construction work was going on at the site in early December 2023, but construction work began by late December. Images from September 2024 show that the heliport is now almost ready.

China will be able to intensify intelligence and reconnaissance activities through the heliport
NDTV quoted experts in a news report saying that this new heliport will allow the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance activities. This reduces logistical challenges in the densely forested region, where rugged mountains make military movement difficult. The construction of the heliport has made it possible to ‘rapidly deploy troops in remote areas, strengthen patrolling and enhance China’s overall military presence in strategically important, remote locations’.

This heliport has at least three hangars, a large apron area for helicopters, an air traffic control facility and buildings and structures associated with the heliport. The English website quoted military sources as saying that the facility can also serve dual-use purposes to transport civilians to remote areas. Military sources also say that it enables rapid build-up of troops during any emergency.

China’s new heliport is near the fishtail area of ​​Arunachal
The Fishtail region of Arunachal Pradesh gets its name due to the distinctive shape of the LAC there. It includes Fishtail 1 and Fishtail 2. Fishtail 1 is located in the Dibang Valley, while Fishtail 2 is partly in the Anjaw district of Arunachal. Both areas are considered ‘sensitive’. China and India have different perceptions about the Line of Actual Control in this area, that is, according to India, the LAC is somewhere else and according to China, it is somewhere else.

The English website has spoken to Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi, who has led the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, regarding the construction of the heliport by China. he/she said, ‘This heliport will be a threat to the major areas which are considered ‘sensitive’ here.’ This means that the danger has increased that China can try to unilaterally change the status of the LAC in ‘sensitive’ areas by using this heliport.

The runway is 600 meters long
The news report states that the heliport that China is building has a runway of 600 meters. It can be used for rolling take-off of helicopters. This is a technique used in high altitude areas where less power is available for helicopters to use. Despite this runway, the new heliport is located in an area where the altitude is much lower than most of the Tibetan Plateau. This benefits helicopter operations.

China is building heliports at a time when it is already building hundreds of new villages in areas adjacent to the LAC, which can be used for dual purposes. These villages are a weapon for China to assert its claims in the disputed areas of the LAC. Through this, it can try to change the ground reality on the LAC.

China is settling villages near the LAC
China has been building hundreds of modern villages near the LAC as a part of strategy since the violent military clash in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh about 4 and a half years ago. It has built villages near every pass from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. These villages have been equipped with concrete houses, electricity, water, internet, roads and all modern facilities. Not only this, it is also paying people to live in these villages. These villages have been built in such a way that they can be used for the military, that is, these villages are military infrastructure in themselves.