Troops gear up for long haul in Ladakh

India is making vigorous attempts to provide logistics support to its soldiers deployed in forward areas in the eastern Ladakh sector, where over 50,000 Indian troops are likely to remain stationed through the winter months to deal with any possible provocation by the Chinese forces, people familiar with the developments said on Tuesday.

Military planes and helicopters are flying to Ladakh almost every day with their cargo holds filled with crucial supplies and gear — from specialised winter clothing to rations and arctic tents to portable heaters — that soldiers would require in the inhospitable mountain terrain, the officials said, requesting anonymity.