Chinese President Xi Jinping orders army to scale up military training, anticipates 'worst case scenarios': Report

Top military sources told Zee News that India has further increased its strength in Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday ordered its troops to scale up its military training, and preparedness in anticipation of worst-case scenarios threatening country's sovereignty, security interests.

The state-run Xinhua news agency reported that Xi ordered the troops to think about worst-case scenarios, scale up training and battle preparedness to deal with complex situations and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. The comments were made while attending a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police Force during the current parliament session.4.

However, the Chinese President did not mention the exact reason behind his call for ramping up military efforts.

This development comes after Chinese, and Indian militaries are engaged in a continued stand-off, which kicked off this month, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Top military sources told Zee News that India has further increased its strength in Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley -- the two contentious areas where Chinese army is learnt to have deployed around 2,000 to 2,500 troops besides gradually enhancing temporary infrastructure.

The presence of Chinese troops around several key points including Indian Post KM120 along the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley is reportedly the biggest concern for the Indian army.

The face-offs reportedly took place after the Chinese side objected to Indian construction near the border in its territory.

In the second week of May, India and China had a heated confrontation in Nakula sector of North Sikkim and troops of both sides received injuries.

News agency PTI quoted official sources saying that a number of personnel on both sides sustained injuries as they exchanged punches. The troops disengaged after a dialogue at the local level.

News reports suggest that a total of 150 soldiers were involved in the face-off that allegedly took place a few days back.

The area is located ahead of Muguthang and is traditionally not prone to clashes between the two forces. There's no road connectivity in the area and it is maintained through helicopters.

On May 5, around 250 Indian and Chinese army personnel clashed in the Pangong Tso lake area in which soldiers on both sides sustained injuries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held a security review meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and three service chiefs to review the ground situation in Ladakh.

The meeting has decided that road constructions would continue and Indian fortifications and troop deployment must match those of the Chinese, reports said.