Tipu Sultan, Maharana Pratap, Aurangzeb are protecting India's frontiers in Ladakh

New Delhi: For the first time after the 1962 war with China, the Indian Army is positioning battle tanks in the freezing valleys of eastern Ladakh.

As per an NDTV report, as many as 100 tanks are already surveying eastern Ladakh – just a few kilometres from the border with China. The report adds that more Indian tanks are on their way to the area.

Tipu Sultan, Maharana Pratap and Aurangzeb are the names of three tanks that are part of a regiment that was positioned in the area about six to eight months ago.

The report adds that the Indian Army moved in the tanks after intelligence from across the border suggested an increase in force levels.

Given the tough terrain, rarified air and -45 degree Celsius temperature at night; for the officers and jawans of the tank regiments, keeping their machines at optimum performance level is in itself a big task.

The TV channel quoted an officer as saying that they use special lubricants and fuel to keep the tanks running.

Over the years, China has adopted an aggressive strategy in Ladakh and carried out repeated incursions.

The positioning of tanks may mean that India is now in mood to assert its authority in a region that is rightfully its territory.