‘China prevented Indian patrolling along Pangong’

Army prepared to counter attempt to change status quo

While Indian military is prepared to counter China’s attempt to change status quo at the Pangong Tso, from the last few years Chinese Army has prevented Indian patrols to move freely between Finger 4 and 8 area on the banks of the lake. It was raised by Chinese, during Corps Commander meeting on June 22 to show reluctance ‘Whenever our troops used to reach the Finger 4 area, Chinese could observe them from their positions. And soon their troops used to come on vehicles from Sirijap post and used to waive flags at our soldiers asking them to go back, claiming that we were in their area,’ said sources. According to sources, Chinese Army had pointed out that Finger 4 to 8 area was under them as Indian patrols were not allowed from Finger 4 onwards.

While Indian military is prepared to counter China’s attempt to change status quo at the Pangong Tso, from the last few years, Chinese Army has prevented Indian patrols to move freely between finger 4 and 8 area on the banks of the lake. This point was raised by the Chinese during Corps Commander meeting on June 22 to show reluctance to back down from finger 4 in Pangong Tso, said sources.

“Whenever our troops used to reach the finger 4 area, Chinese could observe them from their positions. And soon their troops used to come on vehicles from Sirijap post and used to waive flags at our soldiers asking them to go back, claiming that we were in their area,” said sources.

According to sources, during the Corps Commanders meeting on June 22, Chinese Army had pointed out that finger 4 to 8 area was under them as Indian patrols were not allowed to move from finger 4 onwards. However, India objected to attempts to alter the LAC through build-up of troops and construction of bunkers and posts by Chinese at finger 4.

Among all the incursions by Chinese Army, Pangong Tso is where PLA troops have done maximum build up and strengthened its position on ground.

Last year, to checkmate the Chinese soldiers, an Indian patrol party is reported to have climbed the peaks from finger 4 and came down on finger 8 to the surprise of the PLA which had never anticipated such a move. Indian Army is considered as one of the best armies around the world in mountain warfare.

However, this year Chinese have established their posts even on the peaks at finger 4 area.

China has a motorable road from its side till finger 4. On the other hand, Indian soldiers patrol on foot from finger 4 to finger

8. India has a motorable road till its base at finger

3. There is a narrow mountainous passage from finger 3 to reach finger 4. On the northern bank of Pangong Tso, mountain spurs extend out like a palm on the lake, with protrusions which appear like fingers. India controls finger 1 to 4 and claims its territory to be till finger 8. China on other hand claims its territory till finger 2.

◗ CHINA HAS a motorable road from its side till finger 4. On the other hand, Indian soldiers patrol on foot from finger 4 to finger 8