China, a crucial ally of Pakistan, has been enhancing the defence capabilities of the Pakistani army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir over the last three years, PTI reported.
This support includes building steelhead bunkers and supplying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Combat Aerial Vehicles (¹CAVs), according to officials on Wednesday.
Chinese assistance also involves installing highly encrypted communication towers and laying underground fiber optic cables along the LoC.
Additionally, advanced Chinese radar systems like the ‘JY’ and ‘HGR’ series have been deployed to improve medium and low altitude target detection, providing essential intelligence support for both army and air defense units, the officials stated.
Moreover, the SH-15, a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer gun manufactured by a Chinese company, has been observed at several locations along the LoC.
These efforts are seen as part of China’s strategy to strengthen its relationship with Pakistan and protect its investments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, particularly those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Although the presence of senior PLA officials at forward posts, detected in 2014, has not been observed recently, intercepts indicate that Chinese troops and engineers are constructing infrastructure along the LoC, including underground bunkers.
Chinese experts are also involved in tunnel construction in the Leepa Valley of PaK preparing for an all-weather road to connect with the Karakoram Highway, according to officials.
