China sneaks up again

The incorrigible Chinese are at it again. Undeterred by the robust Indian response on the intervening night of August 29 and August 30, the PLA troops again tried to sneak into the the Indian side of the LAC on Monday and Tuesday.

Such was the audacity that on Monday the PLA decided to needle the Indian Army with a daytime operation. Reportedly, the Chinese forces aggressively closed in on Kaala Top and Helmet Top -- from where they are tr ying to regain access to the ridges that are currently being controlled by the Indian army. However, they were stopped by Indian forces who shouted to them using megaphones to tell them that they had been spotted. The transgression happened even as the Chinese military commander was in discussions with an Indian brigadier. The third attempt was foiled in the general area of Chumar, a border patrol facility located in south-eastern Ladakh. Around seven to eight heavy vehicles of the Chinese army set off towards the Indian side from their Chepuzi camp, sources told India Today TV. The Indian security forces also deployed vehicles to prevent any intrusion. Seeing the vehicles from the Indian side along with troops, the Chinese side retreated towards their camp, sources said. Indian security forces are on high alert all along the LAC to prevent any further incursion in any sector.

Ministr y of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in a statement said, "Yesterday (August 31), even as the ground commanders of the two sides were in discussions to de-escalate the situation, the Chinese troops again engaged in provocative action. Due to the timely defensive action, the Indian side was able to prevent these attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo."