China’s helping hand to Pak: New surface-to-air missile sites spotted in PoK

 

File photo of Pakistani army soldiers and Chinese People's Liberation Arm soldiers during a joint drill in Abbottabad, Pakistan 

China is helping Pakistan set up sites for surface-to-air missiles as troops from two armies are carrying out joint patrols in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, recent Indian intelligence reports say.

Lots of construction activities for setting up military infrastructure with the help of Chinese have been noticed at multiple locations across the Line of Control, according to the reports. Chinese PLA officers have been handpicked to oversee these activities.

“The construction work for the installation of surface-to-air missile defence system was being carried out by Pakistan Army and PLA at Pauli Pir near Lasadanna Dhok of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” said an intelligence report.

Around 120 Pakistan Army personnel and 25 to 40 civilians are working on the construction sites.

The control room for the missile system is to be located at Bdel Bagh.

The reports say 10 PLA troops, including three officers, will be deployed in the control room.

“Joint reconnaissance were noticed between Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Pakistani troops were seen in the forward locations like Deolian and Jura in PoK along with Pakistan’s 12 infantry brigade as well as Minimarg-based forces under Force Commander Northern Areas (FCNA) of the Pakistan Army,” says an intelligence report.

On Monday, in his annual press conference, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria had spoken of the Indian military’s readiness for a two-front threat.

While he said there was nothing to suggest a “collusive threat” but added that the two armies were carrying out exercises and a lot of activities between the two have been noticed.

“Similar constructions have also been reported at Chinar Village and Chakothi village in Hattian Bala district of PoK,” reports say.

According to inputs, a road is being constructed by engineers from China from Jaglot to Gauri Kot and is likely to be extended till Gultari in PoK.

It’s not just infrastructure building but Pakistan has also become dependent on the Chinese military equipment off late.

Reports also suggest that Pakistan has procured a sizable number of hexacopters from a Chinese firm associated with the China-Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the pretext of protecting CPEC assets, sources said.

Indian security forces have also made multiple recoveries of EMEI Type 97 NSR rifles manufactured by 'NORINCO' company of China which is a standard issue to PLA soldiers. These have also been gifted to Pakistan Frontier Force as part of CPEC cooperation.

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