The Indian military said on Tuesday that Chinese troops fired their weapons into the air on September 7 to intimidate their soldiers who had commanding heights near a strategic mountain pass in eastern Ladakh, during a failed attempt to approach a position. outpost controlled by India, with bullets. flying the disputed Royal Line of Control (LAC) for the first time in 45 years.
Soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) attempted to advance on Mukhpari Peak near Rezang La on Monday night, but stopped short after a severe warning from the Indian Army occupying key heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso to Avoid The PLA did not seize Indian territory in a stealthy midnight move on Aug. 29, officials familiar with the events said Tuesday, requesting anonymity.
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The Indian soldiers had placed a “wire obstacle” near their positions in warning to the PLA not to cross, they said. The situation remains tense in the area with around 40 to 50 Chinese soldiers armed with automatic weapons, spears and machetes still holding positions below Mukhpari peak, one of the officials cited above said.
“They are the same soldiers who fired the shots. Our positions are about 200 meters apart. They have been in the area for the last two or three days. The intention of the PLA is to occupy high ground, ”said a second official.
In response to a statement by the PLA’s Western Theater Command accusing India of crossing the disputed border and firing shots on Monday, the Indian military said it did not violate the LAC or fire any bullets and that the PLA was trying to mislead the national and international audience with their unfounded accusations.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Indian Army spokesman Colonel Aman Anand said Indian troops exercised “great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner” despite serious provocation by the PLA.
“It is the PLA that has openly violated the accords and carried out aggressive maneuvers, while engagement at the military, diplomatic and political level is in progress,” the statement said.
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The latest tensions in eastern Ladakh come days after Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called on China to strictly abide by LAC, not to attempt to unilaterally change the status quo, and to work with India for a total disconnection from all friction areas in the sensitive sector.
“On September 7, it was the PLA troops who were trying to approach one of our forward positions along LAC and when the Indian troops deterred them, the PLA troops fired a few rounds into the air in an attempt to intimidate the own troops, “said the army statement. He did not specify how the Indian soldiers “deterred” the PLA.
The military said that while India was committed to disengaging and reducing the conflict, China was taking provocative actions to aggravate the situation.
“At no time has the Indian Army transgressed in LAC or resorted to the use of any aggressive means, including fire,” the statement said.
“The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and quiet. However, he is also determined to protect national integrity and sovereignty at all costs. The statement by the Western Theater Command is an attempt to mislead its national and international audience, ”she added. The Western Theater Command on Monday accused Indian soldiers of illegally crossing the LAC and firing “warning shots”, forcing the PLA to take countermeasures.
During a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, General Wei Fenghe, in Moscow on Friday, Singh made it clear that India was fully determined to defend its borders. He told the Chinese Defense Minister that the PLA’s aggressive actions in the Ladakh sector to unilaterally change the status quo on the ground violated the bilateral agreements and understanding between the special representatives of the two sides.
Singh said that while the Indian troops showed a responsible approach to border management, there should be no question about India’s determination to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Tensions flared in the Ladakh sector after the army occupied strategic heights on the southern shore of Pangong Lake following aggressive movements by the PLA on August 29.
China made another provocative move on August 31, targeting these positions, but the swift defensive action of the Indian army thwarted the Chinese attempt. Both sides have concentrated a significant number of soldiers, tanks and artillery pieces, and are within rifle range of the other in the area.
The situation on the southern shore of the lake remains tense with both armies sending reinforcements to the area where the Indian Army controls the mountain range positions allowing it to fully dominate the sector and monitor Chinese military activity — India maintains a series from positions near Black Top (a feature of the hill) and at Rezang La and Reqin pass.
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