Chinese military bunkers discovered along disputed border between India and Bhutan
New Delhi: New satellite images have appeared that show that China has built up an area in the Himalayas along the disputed border with India and Bhutan.
According to the US-based satellite operator Maxar Technologies, the images shown prove that "there has clearly been significant construction activity this year along the Torsa River valley area".
It also said that there had been the construction of "new military storage bunkers" near the Doklam area.
A thin strip of land bordering all three countries, the Doklam area is claimed by both India and China, but it is also strategically important to India because of its close proximity to the Siliguri corridor.
The Siliguri Corridor is strategically important because it is the only bridge between the eight north-eastern states of India and the rest of the country.
With an advance of just 130 kilometres, the Chinese military could cut off Bhutan, West Bengal and the north-eastern states of India.
However, in Global Times, a state-run newspaper, Chinese experts refuted Maxar's claims and reports in the Indian media that a village had been built in the Bhutanese territory.
Earlier this year, India and China engaged in a clash along the Himalayan borders which left at least 20 soldiers dead. The worst conflict between the two countries since they fought a war over the same territory in 1962.
Maxar Technologies' satellite image has shown that China continues to reinforce its position along the border in India, although further construction is not possible at this time of the year due to harsh winter conditions in the Himalayas.
Earlier images of the same site indicate that construction of these bunkers had not started in December 2019. Recent images of October 28, this year, indicate that construction is almost complete.
"These appear to be hardened storage shelters," said Lt Gen HS Panag (retired).
He further added, "This is most likely an ammunition dump".
The precise location of these facilities has been shown by the satellite images of expert Detresfa.