Chinese choppers spotted near Ladakh LAC prompt alert, IAF fighters rushed in: Report

After the scuffle between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops and Indian troops along the LAC in North Sikkim which led to injuries on each side , China appears to be continuing on the trail of belligerence towards India, this point along the road of Actual Control in Ladakh. In what appears to be a multi-front deliberate ploy by China to stay India on its toes the Indian Air Force was forced to rush its fighter jet patrols in Ladakh after Chinese military choppers were found to be flying on the brink of the road of Actual Control. This incident happened last week, round the same time the PLA troops and Indian army forces came to blows within the upper reaches of North Sikkim. “The Chinese military helicopters were flying very on the brink of the road of Actual Control. After their movement was picked up, the Indian Air Force fighter jets flew patrols within the area,” government sources told ANI here. Government sources who requested anonymity thanks to knowledge of frontline operations, informed that the Chinese choppers didn't cross the LAC into Indian territory therein particular area, they said. The Indian Air Force frequently flies its Sukhoi 30MKI fighter fleet from Leh air station in Ladakh along side other planes. This latest development comes soon after the Indian security establishment noticed that Pakistani Air Force increased its patrols of F-16S and JF-17s along its Eastern Border with India, especially night sorties, after the Handwara terror attack that led to the death of 5 Indian security personnel. A fear of retaliation by Indian forces was cited because the reason by Indian security establishment sources for this ramping from PAF air patrols. The Indian Air Force has two main bases within the Ladakh union territory including the Leh and therefore the Thoise airbase where fighter jets aren't deployed permanently but detachments from combat aircraft squadrons are operational throughout the year.There are several occasions within the past when Chinese military helicopters have entered Indian airspace within the Ladakh sector and deliberately left behind tell-tale signs to stake claim on areas which are a part of India. The LAC during this location, like in other parts of the India-China border within the country, is poorly demarcated, hence incursions sometimes are inadvertent also . However, the scuffle with Indian troops in North Sikkim was a replacement front opened by China which was a cause for concern. Ever since the outbreak of Covid-19, Chinese President Xi Jinping is under immense pressure to extend transparency in his country and reveal the important origin of the virus, which some have speculated emanated from a lab in China’s Wuhan. Trade wars with countries like USA and Australia have intensified and most multi-national companies have actively begun trying to find manufacturing alternative,India being one such preferred destination. Security sources speculated that this might be the rationale behind China’s new aggression. Similar muscle flexing was also seen recently when PLA Navy boats entered into disputed waters within the South China Sea.