India beats back new Chinese bid

Accuses Chinese Army of trying to occupy strategic peaks on the Indian side of LAC

Chinese troops made a second failed attempt on Monday to capture peaks on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso that has emerged as the latest flash point between the two armies.

Indian troops had preempted the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers on Saturday night and occupied many peaks on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso to dominate the area.

“On 31st August, 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,” said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on Tuesday.

According to sources, the Chinese Army on Monday night was trying to close in the area and they were spotted by the Indian troops. “PLA troops were suitably warned and they dissuaded from coming closer,” said sources.

Since May, the Chinese Army’s strategy has been to grab unoccupied land at the LAC in Ladakh sector. However, on the southern banks of Pangong Tso, as soon as they saw a large number of Chinese troops moving in, Indian troops on Saturday night moved fast to occupy many peaks in a “pre-emptive move”. Control of the peaks gives Indian the advantage to dominate the area as it can monitor the movements of Chinese troops.

The brigade level talks held on Tuesday to deescalate the situation but it failed to achieve any breakthrough.

Since Monday, China has issued at least five statements accusing India of crossing the LAC at the southern bank of the Pangong Tso and near the Reqin pass in the western sector. It asked India to withdraw its troops “illegally trespassing the Line of Actual Control, immediately stop any actions leading to the escalation and complication of the situation.”

Contradictory reports are coming about two peaks in the area: Blacktop and Helmet. While some reports said that Indian forces occupied these two heights in its pre-emptive move, others suggest that it is under PLA. These two peaks are reported to be on the Indian side of LAC.

The status of these two peaks could not be officially confirmed. Indian Army denied a news agency report that the Chinese Army had tried to cross LAC in the Chumar sector in Ladakh on Tuesday.