PLA Ground Force Conducts Night Live-Fire Drills in Karakoram Plateau

A PLA Ground Force regiment conducted integrated night mobility and live-fire combat drills in the high-altitude Karakoram Plateau, according to China Military Online. Armored infantry fighting vehicles advanced through unmapped routes under blackout conditions using low-light night-vision devices. The exercise incorporated unannounced environmental obstacles and randomly appearing targets to evaluate crew coordination, ballistic adjustments under high-altitude conditions, and all-weather operational readiness.

The exercise highlights the PLA's ongoing push to enhance the baseline combat readiness of plateau-garrisoned armored formations under extreme weather and zero-visibility conditions. By testing rapid response and precision targeting in contested border environments, the drills demonstrate an operational focus on closing technical and tactical vulnerabilities in high-altitude night warfare.

An armored regiment of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force carried out consecutive night mobility and live-fire shooting drills in the Karakoram Plateau, state-run China Military Online reported. Upon receiving orders, armored crews mobilized and deployed in multiple infantry fighting vehicles without headlights, relying solely on low-light night-vision devices to navigate winding mountain corridors. According to a battalion commander, the exercise omitted pre-surveyed routes and roadside markers, requiring vehicle crews to navigate using onboard digital systems and terrain data alone. During transit, the unit encountered an unpredicted snowstorm that covered the roadway. One infantry fighting vehicle became immobilized when its right front wheel fell into a snow-obscured ditch. Under battalion orders, the vehicle crew handled the emergency autonomously, using rocks and mechanical jacks to extricate the vehicle in freezing temperatures without halting the wider formation. Upon arriving at the designated firing zone, crews established communication links, carried out safety sweeps, and calibrated fire-control systems under low-light conditions. The live-fire phase utilized randomly emerging targets across rugged terrain without prior notice of bearings or ranges. During the firing sequence, gunners adjusted their aim to account for high-altitude air pressure and wind speed variances after initial rounds drifted. According to training staff monitoring telemetry and reaction times from a command observation post, participating crews demonstrated higher overall hit rates compared to previous night exercises while switching between different ammunition types to engage armored mock targets. Following the live-fire phase, participating crews conducted a debriefing session to analyze first-round accuracy, emergency handling protocols, and multi-vehicle coordination. Regimental leadership emphasized that night combat and all-weather precision striking remain central operational priorities under ongoing realistic training mandates.