NEW DELHI: China has deployed its troop in considerable numbers all across Eastern Ladakh and Northern front right up to our Eastern command, Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Monday.
There has been an increase in their deployment in the forward areas which remains a matter of concern for India, the Army chief said in an interview with ANI. This comes amid his visit to the forward areas in eastern Ladakh to review the prevailing security situation at the India-China border.
“We’re regularly monitoring all their movements. Based on inputs we get, we’re also carrying out matching developments both in infrastructure as well in terms of troops that are needed to counter any threat,” the Army said. At the moment, India is well poised to meet any eventuality, he added.

Naravane said the situation over the last 6 months has been quite normal. “We’re hopeful of having the 13th round of talks in the second week of October and reach a consensus on how disengagement will take place.”
“By and by all friction points will get resolved. I am of the firm opinion that we can resolve our differences through dialogue. I am hopeful we will be able to achieve results,” said Naravane.
The visit comes a day after Naravane on Thursday said India and China will continue to have border incidents till the two countries reach a boundary agreement while stressing that the armed forces were well-prepared to tackle any “misadventure” on the Line of Actual Control.
Talking about Pakistan, the Army chief said there were no ceasefire violations by the army of the neighboring country from February till June-end. “But of late there’ve been increased infiltration attempts that weren’t supported by ceasefire violations. In 10 days, there’ve been 2 ceasefire violations. The situation is regressing to pre-February days,” he said.

“We have conveyed through hotline messages & DGMO level talks that take place every week that they (Pakistan) should not give support to any terror-related activities,” said Naravane in Ladakh.
When asked about India’s reaction on the current situation in Afghanistan, Naravane said, “We are regularly monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and its possible ramifications and fallouts. It’s too early to say exactly what form it will take. But we are on the look out.”
Meanwhile, Indian Army has deployed the first K9-Vajra self-propelled howitzer regiment in the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control with China. The gun can strike enemy targets at around 50 km.

Speaking on the performance of K-9 VAJRA Self-Propelled Artillery, the Army chief said, “These guns can also work in high-altitude areas, field trials were extremely successful. We have now added an entire regiment, this will be really helpful.”
(With inputs from ANI)