Pangong Lake (Representational)
China has finished building a 400-meter bridge, with high-resolution images in January 2022 according to a report from NDTV. Updated images from July 22 reveal that the bridge has been surfaced with blacktop, and light motor vehicles are now crossing it.
Located in territory controlled by China since 1958, near the Line of Actual Control between India and China in Ladakh, the bridge enables Chinese forces to rapidly move troops between the North and South banks of Pangong Lake.
“The new bridge over Pangong Lake grants Chinese forces a direct, shorter route for rapid troop deployment,” says Damien Symon, a satellite imagery expert and researcher with The Intel Lab. “Previously, the People’s Liberation Army had to navigate the lake’s entire eastern section to reach conflict zones, a lengthy detour that hampered their response time in an active conflict zone.”
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It is believed that the new bridge could reduce the travel distance between both banks of the lake by approximately 50-100 kilometers, significantly cutting travel time by several hours.
Asked to respond to the latest developments, the External Affairs Ministry directed NDTV to a previous statement: “This bridge is being constructed in areas that have been under illegal occupation by China for around 60 years now. As you are well aware India has never accepted such illegal occupation.”
New satellite images reveal road access connecting the new bridge to an existing road network on the North bank of Pangong, leading to Khurnak Fort, an ancient Tibetan structure. China gained control of Khurnak Fort in July 1958, despite previous patrols by the Indian Army in the area.
A new road has been constructed on the South bank of the lake, connecting the bridge to Rutog, a Chinese garrison town and known munitions hub. “The bridge enhances connectivity between China’s forward and depth forces underscoring China’s commitment to solidifying its territorial claims against India by modifying the landscape to its advantage.”
Starting in May 2020, Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged in a series of violent clashes along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. In the Galwan Valley, located north of the Pangong Lake region described in this report, 20 Indian soldiers were killed. China claims that four of its soldiers died in the fighting, though investigative reports suggest the actual number was closer to 40.
Soldiers from both sides also clashed violently on the North bank of Pangong Lake. However, India and China later agreed to reduce tensions by establishing a demilitarized zone, leading to the removal of dozens of Chinese structures built between “Finger 4” and “Finger 8” – spurs used as geographical markers on the Northern bank of Pangong.
In response to the clashes, India has increased infrastructure development in Ladakh, including opening tunnels for all-season access. In 2021, 87 bridges were constructed in Ladakh. In 2022, the government allocated more than ₹2,000 crore for infrastructure development along the frontier with China, assigning 18 key projects to Ladakh.
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