New Delhi: India has moved its fighter jets to forward air bases facing China, even as additional war ships have been deployed in the extended Bay of Bengal region. It is clear signal to China that India is prepared for escalation in the ongoing troop confrontation on the unresolved border.

The fresh build-up includes the new Apache attack helicopters which are “Tank killers” with their Hellfire air-to- ground missiles and rockets, and Chinook heavy-lift choppers, capable of transporting howitzers and troops to forward high-altitude areas, being deployed in Ladakh.

China has crossed our red lines by killing 20 of our soldiers in premeditated attack. We are fully prepared any spiraling of the escalation matrix. All necessary steps have been taken, said a top military officer. The PLA, which is in no more for disengagement, also continues to build-up its forces all along the 3, 488 Kms long LAC.

This is especially true at the ongoing troop confrontation sites in Galwan Valley, Pangond Tso and Gogra-Hot springs areas as well other areas like Depsang and Chushul in Eastern Ladakh.