China building new road in Gilgit Baltistan: India hits back in Indo-Pacific

NEW DELHI: China has decided to build a road that will link the 800-kilometre Karakoram highway with Astore in Pakistan occupied Gilgit Baltistan, signalling Beijing and Islamabads intent to mount further pressure on Ladakh. Highly placed sources told IndiaNarrative.com that China wants to connect Yarkand, a former Buddhist fount, and later a cultural heartbeat of the ethnic Uyghur culture, with Astore via the Karakoram highway. Once the 33meter-wide road is built, China will be able to channel heavy artillery into Gilgit Baltistan, opening the possibility of threatening Indian positions in Ladakh.

Astore district is west of Skardu, a division headquarters of Pakistan where China and India are locked in an extended militar y standoff.