Border blitz
India is ramping up infrastructure on its land frontiers, but major challenges remain
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 "Mohammad Asif Khan")
 "Soldiers patrol a snow-covered mountain at a forward post along the Line of Control, ahead of Diwali in Kupwara district in northern Kashmir, on October 19 (Photo: PTI)")
Soldiers patrol a snow-covered mountain at a forward post along the Line of Control, ahead of Diwali in Kupwara district in northern Kashmir, on October 19 (Photo: PTI)
Just a year before Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged in a deadly combat in Galwan in 2020, India completed work on a 255-kilometre (km) stretch of road in the upper reaches of Ladakh. India’s aim was to make durable road links available throughout the year, including during the region’s harsh winter months, to India’s northernmost airstrip, the Daulat Beg Oldie. The Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road serves a crucial strategic purpose for India. The road's proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and its potential for rapid mobilisation of Indian troops is believed to have triggered activity on the
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Mohammad Asif Khan
Mohammad Asif Khan is a Senior Correspondent at Business Standard, where he covers defence, security, and strategic affairs.
 "Mohammad Asif Khan")
First Published: Nov 07 2025 | 2:12 PM IST
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