Large deployments in the Chushul area intended to intimidate, and pointed attacks that attempted to dislodge newly acquired Indian positions, failed to dissuade India from holding onto its gains even as it counter-mobilized to signal its determination.
Government sources said investigations and land grabbing cannot be ruled out, but India has made clear its readiness for proactive action.
It was noted that in the past, it would have taken several days to track all five Youth of Arunachal Pradesh which disappeared on the Chinese side. The disappearance of several points on the border was intense, but the Chinese found the Indian forces in a high state of readiness.
They were quick to warn PLA troops against advances on Indian positions that were detected much faster than the Chinese anticipated. More thrusts were not seen as a fluke and the Indian administration and army officials were able to track the youths and contact the Chinese authorities. Similarly, the Indian forces returned some 13 yaks and some calves that had been “lost” after detecting their presence without delay.
However, the main irritating factor for China was the Indian action in Pangong, where troops turned the PLA around with the bold act of climbing steep hills in the dark to control the heights. The maneuver, along with the repositioning of the troops in the upper part of some of the foothills of the north bank, gave the indigenous forces control of the “gate” of the valley in particular.
On video: India-China showdown: Army enterprise on Pangong Heights despite push and push from PLA
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