Forces increased along Sikkim, U’khand borders

10K men deployed ■ High alert along LoC

SECURITY FORCES along the Pakistan border are also on very high alert as BSF suspects that under Chinese influence Pakistan could trigger fresh trouble in border areas

In view of the increasing tension with China along the LAC in the Ladakh sector, the home ministry has increased presence of border guarding forces in other parts of Indo- China border, particularly in Sikkim and Uttarakhand. Close to 100 companies or 10,000 personnel of paramilitary forces have been rushed to border areas.

Sources said security along both China and even Nepal border had been beefed up substantially in view of the fresh transgression attempts made by Chinese forces in Ladakh’s Chushul area.

Specifically, sources added, security deployment had been increased at the area along China border in Sikkim and Uttarakhand as intelligence inputs suggest that China could try and open another front in these sectors.

Following these intelligence inputs which have also been shared with border guarding forces like the ITBP and SSB who are normally deployed at the China and Nepal borders. Security deployment in the Doklam region in Sikkim and Kalapani region in Uttarakhand since increased Chinese activity has been noticed in these sectors.

Most of the additional security companies that have been deployed along Chinese borders are those that were pulled out of Jammu and Kashmir a couple of months back.

In addition, security forces along other borders, specially with Pakistan, are also on very high alert as BSF suspects that under Chinese influence Pakistan could trigger fresh trouble in border areas.

“All our security forces are on very alert in all sectors. We wilt let China or its allies in our neighbourhood to take any advantage of the situation in Ladakh. Enough deployment has been made in the sensitive border areas and arrangements are in place to rush further reinforcements at a short notice if required,’’ a senior home ministry official said.