As the voltage increased in the actual Control Line (LACQUER), sources said that around 50 to 60 soldiers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) approached the Indian post on the southern shore of the Pangon Lake area around 6 p.m., but the Indian army personnel stationed there He vigorously confronted them and forced them to retreat.
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Chinese troops had mounted a savage attack on Indian soldiers with stones, nail sticks, iron bars and clubs during clashes in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15 in which 20 members of the Indian army were killed.
Also on Monday night, Chinese troops carried wands, spears, clubs and sharp weapons, the sources said.
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When the Indian army forced Chinese troops to return, they fired 10-15 rounds into the air to intimidate Indian soldiers, the first use of firearms throughout LAC after a 45-year interval. The previous instance of shooting at the de facto border was in 1975.
The sources said that the Indian troops did not use any firearms.
They said that the Chinese troops’ intent was to pull the Indian army out of the strategic heights at Mukhpari Peak and the Rezang-La areas.
The PLA has been looking to capture the strategic heights for the past three to four days, the sources said, adding that Chinese troops damaged an iron fence Monday night that was erected by Indian troops in the area.
India continues to dominate strategic peaks around the southern shore of the Pangong Lake area overlooking key Chinese formations in the Moldo area.
The PLA late Monday night alleged that Indian troops crossed the LAC and “scandalously fired” warning shots near Pangong Lake. The Indian army rejected the charges on Tuesday.
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