Significance of the new roadThe new road is significant as it will serve as an alternate route to the existing DSDBO road, which is vulnerable to the PLA’s direct line of sight and can be threatened, as happened in Galwan during critical times.The Galwan valley is on the same stretch, and the Chinese had carried out a build-up along the Galwan River valley during the stand-off. This also led to violent clashes between the two sides in June 2020, resulting in the killing of soldiers from both sides.This new route will give an alternate and safe access to the militarily important Sub Sector North (SSN), which includes DBO and Depsang plains.SSN, which includes Depsang, is strategically vital. Depsang is also a crucial link to Siachen and the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) airfield, the highest in the world at an altitude of 5065 metres (16,614 feet). The terrain permits large-scale armour operations, and China has multiple roads supplying the area, while India has only the DSDBO Road.There are 65 patrolling points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, stretching from the south of the Karakoram Pass to the southern part of Demchok. “The roads’ strategic importance is that it connects Leh to DBO, virtually at the base of the Karakoram Pass that separates China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region from Ladakh,” the source said.Although disengagement at Depsang took place, in October 2024, it had triggered the Indian side to beef up its line of communication.The standoff at Depsang was significant and sensitive, as Chinese troops blocked access to five patrolling points — 10, 11, 11A, 12, and 13. The blocked area was around 952 sq. km, according to sources.The five patrolling points in question are east of the strategic Sub-Sector North road, close to the LAC but within Indian territory.
Source link
