The battle to hold the border

Fukche and Demchok (Ladakh): For years, the stark and desolate Demchok and Fukche areas in south eastern Ladakh were thinly manned. Demchok is the place where the Indus river comes from Tasigang in China. To its left is the Demchok naala which joins Indus river before it goes into India. And just about a km away from here is the Chinese post, between the Khargosh Hill and the Zorawar Complex.

Over the years, in response to aggressive Chinese posturing, the Indian Army has revised its strategy in the area.

More troops have come in, regular patrolling takes place, and there is a conscious attempt at area domination.

India is also preparing for the future an airfield at Nyoma, which is barely 25 km from the border. It is now operational and AN-32 transport planes can now land here, boosting India's ability to insert additional troops at short notice.

But mere Army presence is, however, not enough. Local villagers want the civil administration to be more active.

"We have no roads, no communication and no jobs. We need much more," says Kezang, a local resident.

Of late, India has shed its defensive outlook. But as we, the first media team ever to visit the area realised, much more work remains to be done to make the border secure in coming years.