NO REDUCTION IN STRENGTH OF PLA TROOPS AT LAC, SAYS ARMY CHIEF

NEW DELHI: Terming the standoff situation with China’s People’s Republic Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh as “stable but unpredictable”, Army chief General Manoj Pande on Saturday said that there was no reduction of the neighbouring country’s troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Speaking at the ‘ Chanakya Dialogues’, General Pande also said the focus of the next round of military talks would be to resolve issues at the two remaining friction points.

“If I have to describe it (situation) in a single sentence, then I will say the situation is stable but unpredictable,” General Pande said, replying to a question.

On China’s infrastructure development along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the Army Chief said it is going on “unabated”.

“As far as PLA’S force levels are concerned, there has been no significant reduction,” he said, adding there are indications that some of their brigades, which came for training, are going back with the onset of winter.