Pangong Tso Lake. , Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Army has deployed new landing docks and speed boats for patrolling the Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh, matching the Chinese deployment at the lake located close to 14,000 feet.
It is part of the overall capacity enhancement and infrastructure development initiated by India 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh To plug the loopholes and catch up with the Chinese build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A defense source said, “This recruitment has significantly boosted our patrolling capability and we now have boats that match the adversary.” The source said the landing craft is capable of carrying 35 soldiers or a jeep and 12 personnel, while the speed boats can reach a speed of 35 knots.
In early 2021, the army had signed two contracts for landing craft and speed boats, which were to be delivered in the second half of 2021.
12 special patrol vessels with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) under a ₹65 crore contract at the end of December. A second contract for 17 troop-carrying, flat-bottom fiberglass landing docks was also signed with a private builder in Goa. Officials said the landing craft is capable of carrying 35 soldiers or a jeep and 12 personnel, while the speed boat can reach a speed of 35 knots.
Sources said the new landing craft have also been deployed at Sir Creek in Gujarat facing Pakistan.
Pangong Tso has been an area of frequent standoff between India and China for a long time. India accounts for a third of the 135-km-long boomerang-shaped lake. The lake, a glacial meltwater, has mountain spurs of the Chang Chenmo range, referred to as ‘fingers’ and the salt water lake freezes in winter.
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India has always occupied Finger 4, while it claims Finger 8, where the Indian perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) lies, as India has reiterated on several occasions. The north bank, which has a much greater difference in perception of the LAC than the south bank, has been the initial site of conflict in May 2020, marking the beginning of a long-winded standoff. The Indian Army has a permanent position near Finger 3. The Chinese have a base east of Finger 8.
Both sides also patrol the water with speed boats, which also result in face-offs. Prior to the 2020 standoff, the face-off was usually resolved as per agreed protocols to maintain peace and tranquility along the border.