New Delhi: Amid the ongoing military standoff with India, China is developing an airbase for fighter aircraft operations close to the Eastern Ladakh area in Shakche town in the Xinjiang province.
According to the government sources, the base is being built between the existing airbases of Kashgar and Hogan which have been carrying out fighter operations along the Indian borders for a long time. This new base for fighter operations will fill the gap for the Chinese Air Force in this region, the agency quoted govt sources as saying. Sources said Shakche town already has an airbase and it was being upgraded for fighter aircraft operations.
The Indian agencies are also keeping a close watch on an airfield near the Uttarakhand border in Barahoti with China where the Chinese have brought in a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles which are continuously flying in that region.