Amidst LAC row with China, India undertakes exercise ‘Buland Bharat’ in Arunachal

In the wake of China upping the ante along the borders in the northeastern states, a massive combat exercise was undertaken by the Indian Army.

In a massive show of strength the Indian Army boomed big-artillery guns in Arunachal Pradesh. The high-voltage exercise was called 'Buland Bharat' was undertaken in the crucial Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh. During the exercise, the Army used 155mm Bofors howitzers, 105mm field guns and 120mm mortars.

The exercise took place in the wake of the India-China tensions entering into its fourth year. There have been multiple intrusions that have been reported by the Chinese PLA. This has led to India deploying a wide array of artillery weapons along the Line of Actual Control.

The 'Buland Bharat' exercise involved the application of surveillance and firepower capabilities of the artillery and infantry in coordination with the Special Forces, aviation wing and Central Armed Police Forces, a Times of India report said.

The troops and equipment were tested in simulated war conditions during the exercise, after a month-long training in the high-altitude areas and extreme weather conditions.

Last month the Army and Indian Air Force had conducted drills for multi-mode rapid insertion of Special Forces as well as specially-designated and equipped units into the easter theatre by strategic airlifts like the C-17 Globemaster-IIIs and the Chinooks as well as the Mi-17 helicopters.