From Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : To thwart any misadventure from the neighbor India has deployed L-70 anti-aircraft guns on line of actual control in Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Army from Tezpur headquarters said that China is once again eyeing Arunachal Pradesh. Amid tensions in eastern Ladakh for over a year and a half, India is now on alert over military drills and deployments of inimical forces within the border adjoining Arunachal Pradesh.
The Indian Army has drawn an emergency plan to meet any security challenge. Lt Gen Manoj Pandey, Commander, Eastern Command said, the annual training programme of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has also increased this time and its troops are being deployed in the border interior areas. Lt Gen Pandey also said, “The two countries are developing infrastructure near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which continues to create some controversy. Military deployment is also being increased. China’s efforts to build diplomatic relations with Bhutan in northeast India have also raised concerns in India. Take the deal on the decades-old border dispute in China-Bhutan without saying anything directly. The general expressed hope that the agreement would be in the eyes of government officials. China is settling new villages near the border.
India is strategising accordingly as populated areas can be used for military purposes. In addition to M-777 Howitzer and Swedish Bofors guns, L-70 anti-aircraft guns have been deployed in these high altitude areas which is very dangerous. India and China have been at loggerheads over the border since May last year which has not been fully resolved. In the course of the talks, China has increased the deployment of troops along the border with India. That is why India has strengthened defence preparedness. The L-70 anti-aircraft gun was deployed two months ago. The deployment is aimed at enhancing the overall firepower of the Indian Army in view of China’s aggressive stance following the standoff in eastern Ladakh. At the same time, the Indian Army will not suffer in case of emergency due to this gun. The Indian Army has already deployed a large number of Bofors and Howitzer guns in the eastern sector. They are considered to be the backbone of India’s fire power. The army has intensified preparations. Army troops are conducting military exercises and physical training on a daily basis.
