Jammu, Dec 27 (IANS) Causing concern in the Indian Army, China has increased the presence of its military engineers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a senior army officer said.

Although the exact number of Peoples Liberation Army men and engineers engaged in building infrastructure across the Line of Control is not known, their number has increased in recent months, the senior commander said.

The LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

'Our intelligence reports about the presence of PLA (men and engineers) have been authenticated now, and their number is on the rise,' Maj. Gen. K.H. Singh told reporters in Rajouri, a border town 160 km north of Jammu, Monday evening. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function.

The Indian army had the knowledge of the deepening Chinese presence in Pakistan- administered Kashmir, especially after the 2005 quake, when many construction works were given to Chinese companies. New York Times had published a report of the presence of 15,000 Chinese troops in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, including Gilgit and Baltistan.

Gen. Singh said the Indian army was trying to ascertain the motive of such heavy presence of Chinese troops and engineers in the territory under the control of Pakistan.

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