The Chinese military has increased its activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Barahoti area of Uttarakhand. The movement on the Chinese side in the area has reportedly been seen after a gap of over six months.
According to the sources, "Recently a platoon (around 35 troops) of the PLA were seen operating around the Barahoti area in Uttarakhand and surveyed the area around there. The Chinese have been seen doing some activity around this area after a significant gap."
"The Chinese troops were constantly monitored in the area during their stay there," they said.
Sources said the security establishment feels that the Chinese may attempt some activity in this area but the Indian operational preparedness is high all along the central sector.
China has also heightened activity at its air base near Barahoti where a number of drones and helicopters have been operating, the sources said.
The Indian forces reportedly moved and deployed its troops in the sector in Uttarakhand last year to avoid a Ladakh-like scenario. India has positioned additional troops in the central sector and rear formations have gone ahead there, the sources said.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Central Army chief Lt Gen Y Dimri have also visited the central sector boundary with China in recent times to review the situation and operational preparedness there, they said.
The Indian Air Force has also activated a few air bases there including the Chinyalisaund advanced landing ground where the An-32s have been making frequent landings.
The Chinook heavy-lift helicopters are also operational in that area and can carry out inter-valley troop transfers, whenever required.
According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control in the sensitive sector.