Updated: December 23, 2020 7:14:30 pm
The Chief of the Army, General MM Naravane, visited the advanced areas along the Royal Line of Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. (Source: Army of India)
Army Chief General MM Naravane, who is on a day trip to Eastern ladakh on Wednesday, he also visited outpost areas along the Real control line (LAC), where India and China are involved in a military confrontation lasting more than seven months.
The Indian Army said Naravane “visited the Fire and Fury Corps advanced areas, including Rechin La, and conducted a first-hand assessment of the situation throughout LAC.” The Fire and Fury Corps, or the XIV Corps, is responsible for the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Army said it “carried out an on-site inspection of the status of the habitat of the troops in the Rechin La front line of defense.”
The commanding general of the army MM Naravane in eastern Ladakh. (Source: Army of India)
Rechin La is one of several areas in the Chushul subsector, and the north shore of Pangong Tso, where Indian troops are sitting in positions greater than 14,000 feet. The altitude and arid region, where temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius, provide a very harsh climate for soldiers.
The Army chief also “visited the Tara forward base and interacted with local commanders and troops,” the Army mentioned.
In the images from the forward areas, Army tanks are visible behind Naravane.
With the trip coming just before Christmas, Naravane “distributed candy and cakes to the soldiers,” Army said.
During his visit to the headquarters, the army chief received a detailed report on the situation on the ground.
Indian army soldiers in LAC in eastern Ladakh. (Source: Army of India)
About 50,000 soldiers from India and China are stationed in eastern Ladakh, even as the ninth round of Corps Commander talks await. It is the first time that such a large number of troops have been placed in such harsh weather during winters.
While India sent a memorandum to China, a response is expected for the next round of talks between senior military officials. As of now, there are no signs of disengagement and eventual de-escalation from either party.
India has been demanding the status quo ante, or troops from the front and deep areas, along with additional artillery, tanks and air defense assets to be sent back to their April positions.
However, China has been asking Indian troops to first vacate the heights they occupied in late August in the Chushul subsector, including Mukhpari, Gurung Hill, Rezang La and Rechin La, as it provides India with a direct view of the Moldo China garrison and the strategically important Spanggur Gap that allowed Indian troops to dominate the area. India has said that any disconnection will have to go through all sticking points.
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