Military storage bunkers spotted in Chinese village near Doklam

Indian army soldiers drive vehicles along mountainous roads as they take part in a military exercise at Thikse in Leh district. File pic/AFP

China's new villages close to the Line of Actual Control, meant ostensibly for settling civilians from far-flung areas close to the border, are part of strategy to enhance its military infrastructure in the area, top sources said.

One such village has also come up near Doklam where military storage facilities have been observed, as per intelligence reports. Construction of the new hardened bunkers appears to be an effort at militarily reinforcing the larger Doklam region, the source said.

There are dozens of similar settlements along the LAC, most of them coming up in areas facing Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Part of their integrated model villages that the Chinese intend to put to dual use - for civil and military purposes, some villages however remain uninhabited and are only turning out to increase military infrastructure to cater to additional deployment of the People's Liberation Army.

Shelters have also come up at Bumdro which is opposite Kameng. Six to seven concrete huts have been constructed at Bumdro near Domsongrong to accommodate PLA personnel during their patrolling activity in Mera La, Thag La and Yangtse Area.

China has also constructed a road from Tirkangto Shivung La. The work was being undertaken from uphill side of Tirkang village in the south west direction towards Shiyung La. Two mobile communication towers have also been installed at Tirkang village.

Satellite imageries of settlements are in public domain.

These villages also have reconnaissance towers. Some of the established villages are well connected by newly-made Chinese four-lane roads.

India has also adopted a policy of opening some of the places near the LAC.

India and China are engaged in a seven-month-long standoff at the LAC. Despite several levels of dialogue, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues.

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