China Helps Pakistan Build Defence Infrastructure Along Line Of Control

China has been assisting the Pakistan Army in enhancing its defence infrastructure, providing unmanned aerial vehicles, installing communication towers, and laying underground cables along the Line of Control (LoC), according to officials.

Officials state that this is part of China's efforts to strengthen its position as Pakistan's all-weather friend while ensuring the safety of its growing enclaves in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

These enclaves were established under the guise of securing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road and hydel projects built in the occupied territory.

The officials have observed the recently developed SH-15, a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer gun, at some locations along the LoC after it was showcased on Pakistan Day in 2022.

Pakistan signed a contract with Chinese firm North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco) for the supply of 236 SH-15s, a 'shoot and scoot' artillery weapon. According to London-based Janes Defence magazine, the first batch was delivered in January 2022.

According to officials, Chinese troops and engineers were observed setting up infrastructure along the LoC, including underground bunkers, although no senior PLA officials were present at forward posts as they were in 2014.

Experts believe that the Chinese military's presence is linked to the CPEC, a 46-billion-dollar project that will connect Gwadar Port in Karachi to China's Xinjiang province via the Karakoram highway, which is currently under China's illegal occupation.

Officials suggest that Chinese experts are digging tunnels in the Leepa Valley in PoK to prepare for the construction of an all-weather road that will serve as an alternative route to reach the Karakoram highway.

In 2007, a Chinese telecom company acquired Pakistan's telecom company and established China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak) as a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation.

Last year, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority granted permission for the expansion of next-generation mobile services in the PoK region while renewing CMPak's (Zong) mobile licence.

Officials have reported that India has previously expressed strong objections to Chinese presence in the Gilgit and Baltistan regions, and the Army is fully prepared to counter any potential threats from across the border.

Since February 25, 2021, India and Pakistan have maintained a ceasefire.