According to newly released satellite photos, china has finished and put into service a bridge that connects the north and south sides of Pangong Lake, greatly reducing the amount of time required to mobilize troops and equipment. Initial reports on the construction of the approximately 400-meter bridge surfaced in early 2022, roughly two years following the commencement of the armed stalemate between china and india in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which precipitated a six-decade low in bilateral ties. The standoff began with a skirmish between the opposing forces on the shores of Pangong Lake.

The paved bridge was completed and in use by cars on July 9 according to a set of fast revisit satellite photographs taken in the early morning, lunchtime, and late afternoon by BlackSky, a US-based company whose satellites can take pictures fifteen times a day. About 25 kilometers separate the bridge and the LAC.
 
Numerous cars, including one that was crossing the bridge, were located at various points on the roads leading from the north and south shores of Pangong Lake to the bridge. These vehicles were detected by automated vehicle detection. Throughout the day, the detections also record changes in the quantity, position, and distribution of vehicles. Additionally, vehicles at a possible gas station on the bridge's northern access road were detected.
 
The bridge is situated close to the LAC in the Indian-claimed Aksai Chin territory, which is in dispute. It is true that china has been in this region since at least 1960. india has never tolerated such an unlawful takeover of its land, the External Affairs Ministry stated when the first news of the bridge's building surfaced.
 
The india Herald stated, once more using BlackSky satellite imagery, that China's armed forces are preparing for a protracted conflict in the region surrounding Pangong Lake. At a crucial base in Sirjap, they have built armored vehicle shelters and underground bunkers to store ammunition and weaponry.