IAF fighters rushed in after Chinese choppers spotted near Ladakh LAC: Report

Indian Air Force was forced to rush its fighter jet patrols in Ladakh after Chinese military choppers were found to be flying close to the Line of Actual Control, according to news agency ANI.

The incident took place last week, around the same time a scuffle broke out between the Chinese People`s Liberation Army troops and Indian troops along the LAC in North Sikkim which led to injuries on both sides.

"The Chinese military helicopters were flying very close to the Line of Actual Control. After their movement was picked up, the Indian Air Force fighter jets flew patrols in the area," government sources told.

Government sources who requested anonymity due to knowledge of frontline operations informed that the Chinese choppers did not cross the LAC into Indian territory in that particular area, the report stated quoting the government sources. 

The latest development comes close on the heels of Indian security establishment noticing that Pakistani Air Force increased its patrols of F-16S and JF-17s along its Eastern Border with India, especially night sorties, after the Handwara terror attack that led to the death of 5 Indian security personnel. 

Fear of retaliation by Indian forces was cited as the reason by Indian security establishment sources for this ramping up of PAF air patrols.