China building ‘bigger, broader’ 2nd bridge at Pangong Tso that can carry armoured columns

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

China's People's Liberation Army aims for multiple routes to counter any possible operations by the Indian forces on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso in the future.​

China is building a second bridge over territory held by it in Pangong Tso, which is capable of carrying armoured columns, ThePrint has learnt. The development comes as the Ladakh stand-off between India and China enters its third year.

Sources in the defence and security establishment said the first bridge — whose construction was started at the end of 2021 and finished last month — is being used as a service bridge for the construction of the second.

“The first bridge is being used by the Chinese to station their cranes and bring over other construction equipment. The new bridge, right next to it, is bigger and wider than the one they finished construction of in April this year,” a source said.

When the construction of the new bridge was spotted less than three weeks ago, the source added, “the entire game plan of the Chinese was understood”.

The new bridge is being built from both sides simultaneously.

On 3 January, ThePrint reported that the Chinese were building a bridge at Pangong Tso, over territory held by it.

At the time, sources had said the bridge was being built with pre-fabricated structures to counter any August 2020-like operation of the Indian Army, which had led to India capturing dominating heights on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso.


The bridge was aimed at cutting down a 180-km loop from Khurnak to the southern banks through Rudok, sources had said. This would mean that the route from Khurnak to Rudok would come down to 40-50 km.

‘Multiple routes to counter possible Indian operations’​

The 135-km long Pangong Tso, a landlocked lake that is partly in the Ladakh region and partly in Tibet, has witnessed tensions between India and China since May 2020.


“The earlier bridge could only bring in soldiers and lighter vehicles. The new one is actually bigger in size and wider. This means that they are looking at faster induction of not just troops and vehicles but even armoured columns,” the source quoted above said, explaining why the new construction is significant.

As reported last month, the Chinese have finished construction of the first bridge and are now building roads to connect it to one of its biggest military garrisons in the region, according to satellite images.

The bridges are part of a series of military infrastructure that the Chinese are building in eastern Ladakh.

While the India-China stand-off continued on the southern banks of Pangong Tso, the Chinese, between September 2020 and mid-2021, built a new road to its Moldo garrison, to circumvent the visibility arc of the Indian soldiers and equipment on top of advantageous heights.

Sources said that, with the new construction, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aims to have multiple routes to counter any possible operations by the Indian forces on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso in the future.

Even as the Chinese construction continues, government sources have said that India does not foresee fighting China again along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, they have made it clear that if Beijing tries to reignite tensions, New Delhi will offer a “muscular response” without worrying about the outcome.

China building 'bigger, broader' 2nd bridge at Pangong Tso that can carry armoured columns

China's People's Liberation Army aims for multiple routes to counter any possible operations by the Indian forces on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso in the future.

theprint.in

 

[Bilal9]

China's People's Liberation Army aims for multiple routes to counter any possible operations by the Indian forces on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso in the future.​

View attachment 845207
China is building a second bridge over territory held by it in Pangong Tso, which is capable of carrying armoured columns, ThePrint has learnt. The development comes as the Ladakh stand-off between India and China enters its third year.

Sources in the defence and security establishment said the first bridge — whose construction was started at the end of 2021 and finished last month — is being used as a service bridge for the construction of the second.

“The first bridge is being used by the Chinese to station their cranes and bring over other construction equipment. The new bridge, right next to it, is bigger and wider than the one they finished construction of in April this year,” a source said.

When the construction of the new bridge was spotted less than three weeks ago, the source added, “the entire game plan of the Chinese was understood”.

The new bridge is being built from both sides simultaneously.

On 3 January, ThePrint reported that the Chinese were building a bridge at Pangong Tso, over territory held by it.

At the time, sources had said the bridge was being built with pre-fabricated structures to counter any August 2020-like operation of the Indian Army, which had led to India capturing dominating heights on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso.


The bridge was aimed at cutting down a 180-km loop from Khurnak to the southern banks through Rudok, sources had said. This would mean that the route from Khurnak to Rudok would come down to 40-50 km.

‘Multiple routes to counter possible Indian operations’​

The 135-km long Pangong Tso, a landlocked lake that is partly in the Ladakh region and partly in Tibet, has witnessed tensions between India and China since May 2020.


“The earlier bridge could only bring in soldiers and lighter vehicles. The new one is actually bigger in size and wider. This means that they are looking at faster induction of not just troops and vehicles but even armoured columns,” the source quoted above said, explaining why the new construction is significant.

As reported last month, the Chinese have finished construction of the first bridge and are now building roads to connect it to one of its biggest military garrisons in the region, according to satellite images.

The bridges are part of a series of military infrastructure that the Chinese are building in eastern Ladakh.

While the India-China stand-off continued on the southern banks of Pangong Tso, the Chinese, between September 2020 and mid-2021, built a new road to its Moldo garrison, to circumvent the visibility arc of the Indian soldiers and equipment on top of advantageous heights.

Sources said that, with the new construction, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aims to have multiple routes to counter any possible operations by the Indian forces on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso in the future.

Even as the Chinese construction continues, government sources have said that India does not foresee fighting China again along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, they have made it clear that if Beijing tries to reignite tensions, New Delhi will offer a “muscular response” without worrying about the outcome.

China building 'bigger, broader' 2nd bridge at Pangong Tso that can carry armoured columns

China's People's Liberation Army aims for multiple routes to counter any possible operations by the Indian forces on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso in the future.

theprint.in

Well India keeps re-drawing the "line in the sand" and keeps re-issuing ultimatums.....while China keeps quietly one-upping.....

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

'Felt It Was Occupied, Monitoring The Situation': MEA On Reports Of China Building Bridge At Pangong Tso​

The second bridge being built on the Pangong Tso lake on the Chinese side will be used to transport heavy war vehicles like tanks, and armored vehicles very close to the Indian border, reports said.​

A view of the Pangong Tso Lake ( Image Source : Getty Images )

New Delhi: The Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it was monitoring the situation in eastern Ladakh after reports claimed that China was constructing a second bridge around the strategically key Pangong Tso lake. The new bridge is being built in an area that is 20 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), sources told ABP News.
"We have seen reports on this bridge or a second bridge. We are monitoring the situation. Probably area that is referred to, we felt it is occupied. Talks are on with the Chinese side," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at the weekly media briefing.

The second bridge being built on the Pangong Tso lake on the Chinese side will reportedly be used to transport heavy war vehicles like tanks and armored vehicles very close to the Indian border, reports said. Damien Symon, an analyst who tracks Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control, posted satellite images of the bridge on Twitter.


"Recent imagery (dated April 29) shows roadworks have begun to join the bridge most likely to Rutog, giving China’s PLA troops in the area quicker connectivity through the terrain," Symon tweeted.
READ | China Constructing Massive 2nd Bridge Near Pangong Tso Lake For Heavier Vehicles: Report
China has recently completed the construction of the first bridge in the area. The second bridge is being developed parallel to the first one and is much bigger and wider.
The satellite image posted by Symon shows that the bridge is being built from both sides simultaneously. The bridge will reduce the distance significantly from the depth area of Rudok to the region around the LAC in Pangong Tso.
"The first bridge is being used by the Chinese to station their cranes and bring over other construction equipment. The new bridge, right next to it, is bigger and wider than the one they finished construction of in April this year," the source told ABP News.
The development comes amid the protracted standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries at several friction points in eastern Ladakh for over two years.

'Felt It Was Occupied, Monitoring The Situation': MEA On Reports Of Pangong Tso Bridge

The second bridge being built on the Pangong Tso lake on the Chinese side will be used to transport heavy war vehicles like tanks, and armored vehicles very close to the Indian border, reports said.

news.abplive.com

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

Seems like Rahul Gandhi has summed it all up.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1527536978689855488

 

[serenity]

This is on China's side of even the dispute land. India building stuff on their side as well. How is this news? New reinforcements to airfields and army camps by both countries on their own sides due to increased tensions.

 

[johncliu88]

Will China also build a toll both there? Pay the toll and the Indian trucks can use the bridge as well.

 

[Beast]

This is on China's side of even the dispute land. India building stuff on their side as well. How is this news? New reinforcements to airfields and army camps by both countries on their own sides due to increased tensions.

Next time India will claim concern about China building road at Beijing that threaten India security.

China has no problem with indian but only modi government and their BJP party.

 

[PakFactor]

What's the problem? Some Indian friends like to talk about history. But history has proved. India belongs to China. After all, Wang xuance conquered India before Britain. I repeat. Indians must stop their territorial claims in the British colonial era! China conquered India earlier!

India is just a province of China!

Wang Xuance - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Not bad the war last 3 days, you guys did it quicker than the Israeli's did on Arabs in 6 days. So I guess the Arabs don't need to feel all sad and salty, Lol.

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

How PLA bridge across Pangong Tso confirms Pentagon concerns on China’s aggression​

The double bridge connects the northern and southern banks of the lake in Ladakh and will allow for speedy movement of troops and armoured vehicles by the Chinese military​

Pradip R. Sagar
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 7, 2022 15:02 IST
https://web.whatsapp.com/send?text=...ium=socialicons&utm_campaign=shareurltracking

Indian army patrol boats on Pangong Tso in Ladakh; (Photo: ANI)
Days after a Pentagon report highlighted China’s aggressive and coercive behaviour against its neighbours—particularly India—latest satellite images have shed greater light on the same. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has built a double bridge across the Pangong Tso, connecting the northern bank of the lake with the southern bank for speedy movement of reserves and combat power on either side.
The bridge is 10 metres wide and about 450 metres long and allows for faster movement of troops and even quick induction of armoured vehicles by the PLA. It gives easy access from the PLA’s Moldo garrison to the Sirjab area, which could provide the Chinese side substantial advantage. The bridge will cut the distance from Rudok—the PLA’s main base servicing its deployments in the Pangong Tso area—to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to about 50 km, from the existing over 200 km.


Military observers claim the bridge gives China operational advantage as they have achieved a complementary approach to support either bank of the Pangong Tso, thus neutralising the Indian military’s tactical advantage. “With no habitation in the area, these are exclusive military-use bridges. Infrastructure development in proximity is giving a clear message of [Chinese] intent,” says Lt Gen. Rakesh Sharma, former corps commander of the Indian Army’s Leh-based 14 Corps.
The Pangong Tso and its surroundings are part of the region that had sparked the military stand-off between India and China in May 2020. A month later, a violent clash in the Galwan Valley—located only a few kilometres from the Pangong lake—had claimed the lives of at least 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of PLA troopers. Both sides have stationed thousands of troops, artillery, tanks and other heavy weaponry in the region.


The Indian and Chinese military have held 16 rounds of corps commander-level meetings to deescalate tensions in the aftermath of the fierce clashes in Pangong Tso and Galwan valley in 2020. The last round of talks was held in July this year, and since then both sides have been working towards fixing a date for the next round of interactions. Indian and Chinese troops have, meanwhile, disengaged at the Gogra-Hotsprings on the LAC in eastern Ladakh. However, the differences over Charding Nilung Nullah junction in Demchok and the Depsang Bulge (patrol points 9 to 13) are yet to be resolved. PLA troops in Depsang are blocking Indian patrol points 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13.
Last month, a Pentagon report had claimed that the ongoing military stand-off between India and China in eastern Ladakh had resulted in a significant force build-up by the Chinese military and establishment or enforcement of forward positions. The report, titled ‘Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China (PRC) 2021’, stated: “At the height of the border stand-off between the PRC and India in 2020, the PLA installed a fibre optic network in remote areas of the western Himalayas to provide faster communications and increased protection from foreign interception.” This set-up, the report said, gave them access to near-real-time ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and situational data for streamlining decision-making processes and shortening response timelines.

How PLA bridge across Pangong Tso confirms Pentagon concerns on China’s aggression

The double bridge connects the northern and southern banks of the lake in Ladakh and will allow for speedy movement of troops and armoured vehicles by the Chinese military

www.indiatoday.in