As the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh has failed to show any significant improvements despite several rounds of talks on diplomatic and military levels, the Indian Army has strengthened its preparations in the area. The Indian Army has deployed the T-72 and T-90 tanks in Eastern Ladakh to deal with the situation if it worsens.
These tanks have the capacity to destroy the enemies in a matter of seconds.
At highest possible altitude in the world near the Line of Actual Control in the Chumar-Demchok area in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has deployed T-90 and T-72 tanks along with the BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles to tackle threat on its borders.
Even though Ladakh is notorious for rough winters and high-speed freezing winds, these vehicles can operate at temperatures up to minus 40 degree Celsius.
"The Fire and Fury Corps is the only formation of the Indian Army and also in the world to have actually deployed mechanised forces in such harsh terrain. The maintenance of the tanks, infantry combat vehicles and heavy guns is a challenge in this terrain. To ensure crew and equipment readiness, adequate arrangements are in place for both man and machine," Major General Arvind Kapoor told news agency ANI.
The capability of Indian tank regiments, like the crossing of rivers and overcoming other obstacles, was on full display in the region where the Indus River flows all along the Eastern Ladakh sector.
The Indian armoured regiments have the capability to reach the LAC within minutes if they are required there and did so recently, when the Chinese activated their tanks after the August 29-30 incidents when India occupied several heights near the southern bank of Pangong lake.
The entire territory spread from Eastern Ladakh to the Tibetan plateau occupied by the Chinese forces is suitable for the operations of tanks.
Kapoor, who is the Chief of Staff of the Fire and Fury Corps which looks after the entire war preparedness along the LAC with China in Ladakh, said the Army is logistically prepared in terms of tackling the harsh weather, with special winter clothing and other facilities such as fuel, spares and assemblies in place.
"Adequate training with provision of special winter clothing will ensure troops' morale remains high and they are ready to function in short notice. Along with this, training and honing of crew skills and drills will remain constant through the winters. The Indian Army in Eastern Ladakh is logistically well prepared," he said.
(With ANI inputs)
