Uttarkashi, June 22: Satellite phone signals have been received two to three times in May and June on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) adjacent to Uttarkashi amid increased tension on the India-China international border.
According to sources, satellite phone signals have been received from Nelang Valley and Sonam Valley two to three times in the last week of May and second week of June.
The intelligence agencies has informed the Army and ITBP officials about receiving the signal.
Along with this, the intelligence agencies have also sent its report to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Army and ITBP have been alerted after receiving satellite phone signal.
The 345 km border of Uttarakhand with China has always been sensitive. Of this, 122 km is in Uttarkashi district. Strategically sensitive this area is about 129 km from the district headquarters Uttarkashi.
Army and ITBP jawans are on alert in the Nelang Valley of contrasting geography.
Uttarkashi connects about 122 km of China-occupied Tibet. Chamoli has an 88 km international border.
Reports of incursions of Chinese border into Chamoli have appeared several times in the past years, but no infiltration has been reported on the international border linked to Uttarkashi yet. One of the main reasons for this is considered to be the hard asymmetries of the boundary valleys.
Sources believe that the satellite phone whose signal is traced in the international border basins is banned in India.
Earlier, in the month of March-April also, satellite phone signals were reported in the valleys adjoining the border.
Following the information, the army and ITBP have increased patrolling on the border. Also, the intelligence system is on full alert mode which is keeping a close watch on any activity along the Chinese border.
Following the violent brawl between India and China in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, combat aircraft and thousands of additional troops have been sent to forward areas along the China border adjoining Uttarakhand.
This information has been given by sources after a high-level meeting of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh with top military officials on the situation in Ladakh.
