evidence: Ladakh’s main socio-political groupings, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have asked the Centre to extend Ladakh’s territorial control up to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and ensure internal stability by granting Statehood with guarantees of the Sixth Schedule to fight the threat from China. [...] It highlighted that Ladakh holds a significant position for strategic location vis-a-vis China and Pakistan. "Empowering the locals will foster stability. The understanding of the locals of the harsh terrain and the geography of Ladakh has always proved helpful in the military and logistic operations," it said. [...] The two socio-political amalgams also underlined that the territory of Ladakh extends to Gilgit-Baltistan. "Therefore, attempts should be made to include this area into Ladakh as well and just like the UT of J&K, seats should be reserved for the same," it said.