Beware of Yellow Dragon

China is making a strong base in Gilgit-Baltisthan sector of POK with the solid support of Pakistan. New York Times reports that around 11000 Chinese military personnel are deployed in this strategic area which is a serious concern for India.

The Statesman reports quoting from the New York Times that  “In a quiet move, Pakistan is handing over de-facto control of the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region in Occupied Kashmir to China in an area witnessing a simmering rebellion against Islamabad, a media report here said. The New York Times said China has deployed from 7,000 to 11,000 troops of the People’s Liberation Army in the area. China wants a grip on the strategic area to assure unfettered road and rail access to the Gulf through Pakistan, the paper said, and for this purpose is building high-speed rail and road links. The link up would enable Beijing to transport cargo and oil tankers from eastern China to the new Chinese-built Pakistani naval base at Gawadar, Pasni and Ormara in Balochistan, in 48 hours. Many of the PLA soldiers entering Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to work on the railroad. Some are extending the Karakoram Highway… Others are working on dams, expressways and other projects, it said.
It said mystery surrounds the construction of 22 tunnels in secret locations. Tunnels would be necessary for a projected gas pipeline from Iran to China across the Karakorams. But they could be also used for missiles storage sites, the Times said. The paper noted that there were widespread brutally suppressed local movements for democratic rights and regional autonomy in both Gilgit and Baltistan.

Hope our Government agencies and diplomats take a note of this grave situation and do the needful urgently. Yellow dragon is more dangerous that Jihadi supportive Pakistan. The nexus between Maoists and their Chinese connections should be viewed very seriously. Instead of making a false hue and cry about the so called ˜Saffron Terror” our Home Minister should take a bold step to curb the Maoist violence which is claiming many innocent lives daily. The opposition parties and the nationalist minded citizens should support any such move of our Government in this regard.

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