Enhanced tech to keep eye across LAC

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

Tenga (Arunachal), October 18

In the Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh, “enhanced technological capability” keeps the Indian Army better informed of China’s intentions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Besides, an ongoing “infrastructure push” is speeding up troop movement, logistics and supplies.

The Tezpur-Bomdilla-Tawang-Bumla axis — that is the area of operations of 4 Corps headquartered at Tezpur — has upgraded technologies to keep “an eye” across the LAC. The idea is to harness technology and upgrade it to avoid the need to physically deploy forward for surveillance.

“Enhancing technical capabilities and improving road infrastructure is the focus,” said Maj General Zubin A Minwalla, Commander of 5 Mountain Division.

Series of assets like electronic radars, air-based sensors, satellite imagery, surveillance planes, UAVs, ground-based sensors provide real time feed at the headquarters of the 5 Mountain Division at Tenga.

The feed is integrated seamlessly, collated, deciphered and analysed by a dedicated team. The imagery is clear and provides a “heads up” to commanders on ground to deal with an emerging situation.

A high-speed broadband line is used to transmit information collected from across the LAC to the unit at Tenga.

On infrastructure front, the BRO is creating alternate road axis to Tawang located at altitude of 10,000 feet. The Tezpur-Tawang road has been traditional road route. A new route from Itanagar joins the existing road at “Zero point” north of the Elephant Pass. It provides access from the eastern Assam and shortens the supply route.