Beijing, July 17 (Timesnow): Chinese media report that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has held “live-fire drills” in Tibet, near the Arunachal Pradesh border in an effort to practice quick movements of troops and destroy enemy aircraft.
“The brigade that conducted the (latest) drills was from the PLA’s Tibet military command and is one of China’s two plateau mountain brigades,” China Central Television (CCTV), the national broadcaster, said.
This 11-hour drill comes at a time when tensions between the two countries are running high in the wake of the month long military standoff in Sikkim.
The mountain brigade had long been stationed around the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo and was responsible for frontline combat, the nationalistic Global Times quoted the CCTV report as saying.
“The video also shows radar units identifying enemy aircraft and soldiers using anti-aircraft artillery to annihilate targets,” the English language tabloid said.
China has rejected India’s offer of talks and states that such talks can only take place once India withdraws its troops. The neighbouring nation is also irked that India opposes a road being built by China in an area that is claimed by Bhutan.
India has said that such a road could have numerous security implications.