Indian Army dominates strategic heights at Pangong Lake

In a crucial gain, India has thwarted incursion attempts by the People's Liberation Army and thereafter got hold of mountain tops — which are advantageous positions — so that Chinese troops could not come further inside Indian territory.

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) had made incursions in an attempt to change the status quo after increasing deployment in areas close to 'Black Top' and 'Helmet' areas at Line of Actual Control (LAC). Thereafter, China mobilised troops close to the Indian base at Thakung, which is in Indian territory.

Thwarting the Chinese designs, India got hold of Rechin La, which is about 2.5 kilometres to 3 kilometres from Rezang La on the LAC on the Indian side.

India has expressed concerns about Chinese mobilisation close to the Indian base at Thakung.

On Tuesday, China accused India of crossing the Line of Actual Control. However, India has denied these claims.

To resolve the issue, militaries of both the countries are now engaged in a dialogue. "Brigade commanders of both the countries have been meeting for three continuous days," said a senior government officer.

The Chinese embassy in India said Indian troops trespassed the LAC near the southern bank of the lake in an area called Rechin La.

India has said Rechin La is about 2.5 kilometres to 3 kilometres from Rezang La on LAC, on the Indian side and not on Chinese side.

A Chinese embassy spokesperson said, "On August 31st, Indian troops violated the consensus reached in previous multi-level engagements and negotiations between China and India, illegally trespassed the Line of Actual Control again at the southern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake and near the Reqin Pass in the western sector of China-India border, and conducted flagrant provocations, which again stirred tension in the border areas."

Countering the claim, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said, "...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."

At Pangong Tso, China had already strengthened their positions between Finger-5 and 8. The PLA had refused to pull back eastwards from the 8-km stretch it occupied from Finger-4 to Finger-8 by building scores of new fortifications there since early May.

India has asked China to completely withdraw troops from Pangong Tso. But China refuses to budge.

The mountain spurs jutting into the lake are referred to as Fingers in military parlance.

Both the countries have been engaged in a four-month-long standoff at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. Despite several levels of dialogue, there hasn't been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues.

Earlier during the day, India's top security and defence authorities are currently meeting to discuss the fresh Chinese incursions in Indian territory at Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General M.M. Naravane and Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Paramjit Singh held the discussions on the further course of action.

The meeting happened after Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a brief skirmish at the southern bank of the Pangong Lake. The Chinese brought in close to 450 troops but the Indian Army said an attempt to change the status quo was thwarted.

Sources said Chinese People's Liberation Army with help of ropes and other climbing equipment started climbing at a table-top area between Black Top and Thakung Heights at Pangong Tso, south bank. Hearing the commotion Indian Army was alerted and swung into action.

Earlier, Indian intelligence agencies had alerted Indian Army about the Chinese's PLA plans to change status quo in other areas along Line of Actual Control. Thereafter, despite skirmishes between both armies things did not escalate. When Chinese troops saw the strength of Indian Army troops, the skirmishes stopped. (IANS)

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