China scales down troop deployment along LAC: Indian Army report

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) significantly reduced its deployment along the Northern Borders in 2025, with around 10 Combined Arms Brigade-sized forces now positioned opposite the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in traditional training areas, according to the Indian Army’s Annual Report 2025-26.The Army said its own deployment across all sectors of the LAC remains robust and well-poised to deal with any emerging contingency. It attributed the greater stability along the Northern Borders to positive political, diplomatic and military engagements between India and China.PLA DEPLOYMENT REDUCED ALONG LACAccording to the report, India-China military dialogue resumed during the year, including the 23rd Corps Commander-level/Senior Highest Military Commander-level meeting held in Eastern Ladakh in October 2025.Border Personnel Meetings with the PLA have also continued across all sectors in a cordial environment, with both sides using the mechanism to address issues of concern. The Army said the reduction in Chinese deployment, along with continued military and diplomatic engagement, had contributed to greater stability along the Northern Borders. However, it maintained that Indian forces remain prepared to respond to any emerging security challenge.The report also highlighted the lessons from Operation Sindoor, saying the operation demonstrated India’s multi-domain capability, intelligence dominance, technological edge and joint operational readiness. Following the operation, the Army said it undertook a review of capability gaps, with focus areas including force restructuring, greater jointness and the induction of emerging technologies.J&K SITUATION REMAINS UNDER CONTROLOn Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said the overall security situation remained “firmly under control” due to its continued efforts.The report said violence levels had declined, protests had reduced and there were “zero incidents of stone pelting” during the year. It also said local people were increasingly participating in government and Army-led development initiatives.The situation within Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Control changed significantly during Operation Sindoor. However, following talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) on May 10 and 12, 2025, the situation stabilised to a large extent, although the Army noted that “unpredictability continues”.The Army said six infiltration attempts were made by terrorists in 2025, during which 12 Pakistani terrorists were neutralised while attempting to cross the Line of Control.While infiltration attempts along the Line of Control declined compared with previous years, the Army assessed that terrorists were increasingly focusing on the International Border, including for smuggling narcotics and war-like stores.CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS RISE AFTER OPERATION SINDOORDespite the decline in infiltration attempts, ceasefire violations increased sharply in 2025. The Army recorded 163 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, compared with just two in 2024.Of the 163 violations, 124 occurred during Operation Sindoor.The Army also said local youth recruitment into terrorist groups had fallen sharply. Only one local youth joined terrorist ranks during the year, which it said undermined Pakistan’s narrative of home-grown terrorism.863 DRONE INTRUSIONS REPORTED ALONG WESTERN BORDERThe Army report also highlighted a growing drone threat along India’s western border.A total of 863 drone intrusions were reported in 2025, including nine incidents along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir and 854 in Punjab and Rajasthan.The Army said the use of spoofers and jammers had helped counter the threat. Indian forces brought down 237 drones during the year, including five carrying war-like stores, 72 carrying narcotics and 161 without any payload.Security forces also recovered two AK-47 rifles, 75 pistols and 281.41 kg of contraband near the International Border. The Army said these were likely delivered through drone-assisted means, indicating increased attempts to use unmanned systems for reconnaissance and the smuggling of arms, ammunition and narcotics, particularly in Punjab.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 14, 2026 10:03 IST