In the midst of an enduring border dispute with China, the Indian Army has introduced double-humped camels along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the strategic eastern Ladakh region.

These quadrupeds serve a dual purpose?patrolling the LAC and offering crucial logistical support to troops stationed in the challenging and desolate terrain.

The Northern Command of the Army, based in Udhampur, shared on the micro-blogging site X, "Bactrian (double-humped) camels are deployed in Eastern Ladakh as an innovative means for the last mile delivery of critical loads and mounted patrolling in the sandy plateau terrain. The utilisation of camels has generated employment and paved the way for the conservation of the fast-dwindling population of double-humped camels in Ladakh."

Officials from the Northern Command stated, "Leh-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had been conducting research on the double-humped camels, which can easily carry a load of 170 kgs at an altitude of 17,000 feet in Eastern Ladakh."

Native to the region, double-humped camels are renowned for their endurance and load-carrying capacity, officials added. "With a load of 170 kgs, these animals can patrol for 15 kms at a stretch."

Up until now, the army relied on mules with a load capacity of approximately 40 kgs. The introduction of these camels is expected to significantly contribute to the preservation of their dwindling population.

The army's 14 corps is deploying these animals in the Depsang and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) areas along the LAC. The DRDO raised these camels at their facility in Leh.

In September of this year, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) initiated the development of the Nyoma airfield in eastern Ladakh, serving as a staging ground for troops on forward posts in Ladakh.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who laid the foundation stone for the airfield, remarked, "It would be a game-changer for the country?s armed forces." The airfield, situated at an altitude of 13,700 feet, will be one of the world's highest airfields for fighter jets, costing Rs 2.19 billion. India continues to enhance its border infrastructure along the LAC with China and the LoC with Pakistan.