While stating that India always prefers to resolve all issues with its neighbours through dialogue, the Army said it is well prepared for a prolonged standoff in the eastern Ladakh where a dispute with China has been underway for months now.
The Army is fully prepared and more than capable for fighting a full-fledged war even in winters in eastern Ladakh, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement issued by the Northern Command headquarters said that if China created conditions for war, it will face a better trained, better prepared, fully rested and psychologically hardened Indian troops.
Reacting to China’s official media Global Times reports that said India’s operational logistics is not geared up adequately and it will not be able to fight through winters effectively, the Army said, “This can best be attributed to ignorance. Indian Army is fully prepared and more than capable of fighting a full-fledged war even in winters in eastern Ladakh”.
Further, it said that in comparison to the physically and psychologically battle-hardened Indian troops, Chinese soldiers are mostly from urban areas and not used to hardships or prolonged deployment under field conditions. The statement said altitudes in Ladakh range from “high to super-high altitude” and there is a lot of snowfall — up to 40 feet after November.
“Coupled with this, the temperature dipping down to minus 30 to 40 degree Celsius is a usual phenomenon. Wind chill factor makes matters even worse for the troops. The roads also get closed due to the snow. But despite all this, the most encouraging part for India is that the Indian soldiers have a huge experience of winter warfare and are psychologically tuned to operate at short notice.”
While these facts are known to the world, what remains hardly known is the Army’s operational logistics capabilities, it said. “Logistic capability relates to mobility, habitat and billeting, quality services for health, special rations, repair and recovery, heating systems, high-quality weapons, ammunition, quality clothing, and so on. While much of these capabilities existed earlier and troops could simply plug and play, a lot has also been boosted since May this year when China showed first signs of aggression.”
The statement further said that it is important to understand the Army has the experience of Siachen, the highest battleground in the world, where conditions are far more demanding than the frontiers with China. “Traditionally there were two routes for moving into Ladakh, that is through Zojila (Srinagar-Leh Highway) and Rohtang Passes (Manali-Leh). Recently India commissioned a third road from Darcha to Leh which is much shorter distance-wise and less prone to closure,” it said, adding completion of the Atal tunnel on the Rohtang route has multiplied the logistic capacities.
“In addition, we have a large number of airbases with the help of which we can maintain the Army well. Modern snow clearing equipment has also been placed on these routes to keep them open beyond November, thus giving us more time for daily maintenance of the troops,” it said. “Water points and tube wells have been established for the troops and animals like mules and yaks. The living barracks have also been prepared which are comfortable and warm,” the statement said.
Facilities such as the central heating system are some of the high points of these facilities. “Ammunition of various types, including small arms, missiles and tank and artillery ammunition have also been adequately stocked. The medical system is also in place for any eventuality.”
“These worries have been percolating in the minds of Chinese troops and are visible in Chinese media,” it said.
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