China aggressive in Ladakh
India rushes troops after being prevented from patrolling disputed areas
The stand-off between Indian and Chinese armies in Ladakh appears to be turning more serious with some reports suggesting that Chinese troops are making bunkers to prevent Indian troops from patrolling in disputed areas which India claims as its territory.
The stand-off is occurring at two places in the Galwan region and Pangong Tso which are over 110 km apart. The Indian Army has rushed additional troops and is monitoring the movement of Chinese soldiers. According to reports, in Galwan region a large number of Chinese troops have entered Indian territory at four locations including Patrol Point 14 (PP14) and Gogra post. PLA troops are making bunkers, and have brought in heavy vehicles. This has raised tensions in the area as it is not teh usual confrontation between patrolling parties from two sides. The Chinese were objecting to construction of road by India to connect the area.
In Pangong Tso, the Chinese Army is reported to be building bunkers on a disputed area around Finger 3 to stop Indian troops from patrolling further in the area which India claims to be its territory. In Pangong, Indian troops patrol till the Finger 8 area. The Chinese Army has also brought additional boats to patrol the Pan-gong Tso to build pressure on the Indian troops. The Indian Army also has patrol boats.
Indian Army Chief Gen M.M. Naravane visited Leh on Friday to review the situation with the field commanders. The top military field commanders in Leh including Northern Army Commander Lt Gen.
Y.K. Joshi, 14 Corps chief Lt Gen. Harinder Singh and other senior officers briefed Gen Naravani on the situation on the Line of Actual Control.
NSA Ajit Doval is monitoring the situation along with top military leadership, sources said.
Earlier this month in two separate incidents, Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in fist fights and stone pelting in Sikkim and the northern bank of Pangong Tso, resulting in injuries among soldiers on both sides. However, India had downplayed these two incidents, saying such aggressive behaviour occurs on the LAC and patrols disengage after local level interaction and dialogue. “In fact you are coming to know only about areas where faceoffs have occurred but on daily basis we are meeting at 10 other places where there is absolutely business as normal. It is only at one or two places this happened,” Gen Naravane had said last week.
Meanwhile, there were reports that last week Chinese troops detained Indian soldiers in Ladakh, who were later released. The Army denied that any patrol party was detained by the Chinese in Ladakh.