Around 15,000 PLA troops posted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir

According to a recent Central intelligence agency’s report, the total deployment of Chinese personnel in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is now close to 15,000 while earlier this was in the region of about 12,000. This, the reports states, clearly shows that the Chinese are aggressively pursuing their projects in the region related to roads, railways and power.

The most strategic projects, where the most Chinese personnel are deployed, are the upgradation of the Karakoram highway and the 750-km-long Pakistan-China rail corridor between Havelian and Khunjerab Pass, along the Karakoram highway, which will directly connect China to Pakistan, providing greater mobility for men and material.

“Even though India has flagged the two projects in the past, it seems work is progressing at a fast pace on both,” the official added. Work is also being carried out on inter-connecting water diversion channels in the northern parts of Gilgit and Baltistan. According to the report, PLA troops are deployed at most of these locations as security for Chinese technicians working on the projects.