Shocking: Chinese fighter jets flying close to eastern Ladakh

A Chinese Air Force aircraft flew very close to a sticking point in the eastern sector of Ladakh on the Line of Actual Control in the last week of June, after which the Indian Air Force quickly responded as per standard operating procedures.

The incident took place around 4 a.m. on one of the days of the last week of June and after the aircraft was detected by men on the ground and also detected by indigenous radars deployed in the border area.

According to the Hindustan Times report, sources said that the incident took place at a time when the Chinese side is conducting exercises involving its fighter jets and air defence weapons, including the S-400 air defence system, in areas bordering the eastern Ladakh sector. The Chinese have a large number of fighter jets and unmanned aircraft, which have been deployed near Indian territory. These include the major airfields at Hotan and Gar Gunsa, which have been developed during the past two years.

Shortly after the potential airspace violation was detected, Indian Air Force assets were activated as per standard operating procedures, the sources said.

The sources said that the incident took place at a time when the Chinese side is carrying out exercises with its fighter jets and air defence weaponry, including the S-400 air defence system, in the areas bordering the eastern sector of Ladakh.

During one such combat exercise in 2020, the People's Liberation Army diverted its troops in large numbers to Indian posts in eastern Ladakh, leading to several face-to-face fights in the region. Sources said that the issue of the aircraft coming close to Indian posts was taken up with the Chinese under the East Developed Mechanism.

Sources clarified that the incident was not very serious, but such incidents should be avoided by the other side, as it may increase the time to come. The aircraft came very close to areas on the LAC where there has been a confrontation between the Indian and Chinese sides during the ongoing military standoff between the two sides since May 2020.

The sources clarified that the particular incident was not very serious, but the other party should avoid such instances as it can lead to possible escalation.

The aircraft came very close to the LAC areas that have seen fighting between the Indian and Chinese sides during the ongoing military standoff between the two sides since May 2020, the sources said.

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