They also said the IAF is prepared to use the newly incorporated Rafale jets to carry out sorties in Ladakh as part of the overall push for combat readiness in light of the “provocative actions” by Chinese troops, including the three incidents of shots in the air in the last three weeks.
In the sixth round of the Corps Commanders meeting, sources said that an official at the deputy secretary level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to be part of the Indian delegation, as India is seeking some concrete outcome from the dialogue.
“It is scheduled to take place in the next two days. There is a possibility that it will take place tomorrow (Monday),” said a source.
The main focus of the meeting is expected to be the implementation of a five-point agreement reached between the two countries.
The two sides reached the agreement to resolve the border dispute in a meeting between Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Moscow on 10 of September.
The agreement included measures such as the rapid withdrawal of troops, avoiding actions that could increase tensions, compliance with all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the Royal Line of Control (LAC) .
Sources said that the Indian army also strengthened its dominance in more than 20 strategic mountain heights around the northern and southern shores of Pangong Lake, as well as in the extended general area of Chushul in recent days, even as freezing conditions they take over the area, the sources said.
The deployment of French-made Rafale jets in Ladakh came less than 10 days after they were formally installed at the IAF.
At a ceremony in Ambala on September 10, where five Rafale jets were brought into the IAF, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that the induction of the fleet was crucial considering the atmosphere that is being created along the border. and that it is a “big and severe” message for those who look at the sovereignty of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria had said that the induction of the Rafale jets could not have occurred at a more opportune time considering the security scenario. The Rafale fleet is stationed at Ambala Air Force Station.
The Rafale multipurpose aircraft, built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are known for their air superiority and precision strikes.
“Rafale planes are flying around Ladakh,” a source said without giving further details.
The IAF has deployed nearly all of its front-line fighter jets such as the Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 jets at key border air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere throughout LAC. The IAF is also conducting nighttime combat air patrols in eastern Ladakh.
The IAF has also deployed Apache attack helicopters as well as Chinook heavy lift helicopters to transport troops to various outposts in eastern Ladakh.
Sources said the Army has made elaborate arrangements to maintain the current level of troops and weapons in all advanced areas in eastern Ladakh and other high-altitude sensitive sectors in the harsh winter months when the temperature drops to minus 25 degrees. centigrade.
They said the situation remained tense on the southern and northern shores of the Pangong Lake areas, as well as other points of friction.
There have been at least three attempts by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to “intimidate” Indian troops along the northern and southern shores of the Pangong Lake area in the past three weeks, where they even shot to air for the first time to LAC in 45 years.
The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory on the southern shore of Lake Pangong on the midnight of August 29-30.
On September 7, Chinese troops tried unsuccessfully to approach the Indian position and even fired into the air in the Mukhpari area of the Rezang-La mountain range on the southern shore of Lake Pangong.
When Jaishankar and Wang were due to hold talks in Moscow, the Chinese military resorted to firing a series of “warning shots” into the air on the north shore of Pangong Lake to “intimidate” Indian troops, Army sources said.
India occupied various strategic heights on the southern shore of Pangong Lake and strengthened its presence in the Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese action. China has been occupying the areas between Finger 4 and Finger 8. The foothills of the mountains in the area are called Fingers.
China has strongly opposed India’s move. However, India has argued that the heights are on its side of LAC.
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