Chinese Air Force redeployed J-20 fighters near LAC days before fresh intrusion bid

Days before the PLA troops carried out provocative movements’ at Pangong Lake in Ladakh, Chinese Air Force had redeployed its J-20 fighter aircraft near the LAC.

The Chinese Air Force redeployed its J-20 fifth generation fighters close to the Indian territory, days before the Chinese troops tried to carry out fresh transgressions near the southern bank of Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh.

“The J-20 fighter jets have been operating close to the Indian territory in the last few days and the move was taken by the Chinese Air Force just few days before their Army attempted to do incursions into newer areas in Ladakh,” top government sources told India Today on Monday.

As per sources, fighter aircraft are still carrying out extensive flying near the LAC.

“provocative military movements” to “unilaterally” change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong Tso lake.

The J-20s reportedly operated from the Hotan air base in Xinjiang province of China where strategic bomber and other fighters’ operational deployment is also on, the government sources added.

The move by the Chinese Air Force to redeploy their latest aircraft at air bases near Ladakh comes after India started operationalising the Rafale fighter jets, five of which have joined the Air Force.

Sources said the Indian Air Force and other agencies concerned have been keeping a close eye on the Chinese Air Force activities and have taken all measures to thwart any misadventure in air.

India is keeping a close watch on seven Chinese air bases along the LAC opposite Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

According to top government sources, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has upgraded a number of these bases in recent times, including the construction of hardened shelters, the extension of runway lengths and deployment of additional manpower.

Sources had told India Today that these military airbases under Indian watch included three opposite eastern Ladakh — Kashgar, Hotan and Ngari Gunsa. The other bases include Shigatse, Lhasa Gongkar, Nyingchi and Chamdo Pangta, the sources added.

“Satellites and other forms of surveillance are being used to keep an eye on the seven Chinese military bases which are situated in Xinjiang and Tibet Autonomous Military Region,” government sources had said.