The “military provocation movements” of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aimed at seizing the heights in the Chushul sector, generally between Pangong Tso and Spanggur Gap, were physically blocked by the rapid deployment of Indian troops in the region to an altitude of about 15,000 feet.
“Preventive action taken by our troops from nearby Thakung and other posts precluded the PLA’s options to change the status quo (existing arrangement where perceptions of the Royal Line of Control overlap) in the area,” said a senior official.
“Our troops completed their deployment in adequate numbers, with all necessary equipment, to occupy the previously unoccupied dominant heights within our perception of LAC on Sunday morning,” he added.
The Army said there were no violent clashes in the middle of Saturday and Sunday night, as seen during the prolonged bloody skirmish in the Galwan Valley on June 15.
But some sources said there were physical fights between rival soldiers during the incident. The Indian troops involved in the action, by the way, included commandos from the covert Special Border Force, which it recruits from Tibetans exiled in India.
If he Indian army If he had not undertaken the proactive military maneuver, he would have been presented with a fait accompli as on the north shore of the Pangong Tso, Gogra and Depsang areas, from where the PLA has refused to withdraw from what India considers its territory.
There is also little doubt that the PLA’s attempt to open a new front on Saturday, in accordance with its strategy of pushing LAC westward, was sanctioned by the highest Chinese political-military hierarchy, as were multiple deep intrusions into Indian territory in early -May. “Military commanders at the tactical level cannot make such decisions,” said another officer.
Although India was initially taken by surprise by the multiple well-planned PLA raids four months ago, this time the Army was better prepared. The movement of “a large column” of around 200 PLA troops was detected by radars and night vision equipment deployed in the area before midnight on Saturday.
Around 100 PLA soldiers, with equipment to set up camps, were also seen below ‘Black Top Hill’, which in turn led the Indian army to respond in a “quid pro quo” manner.
The PLA is obviously annoying. He accused the Indian troops of “undermining” the consensus reached in the multilevel talks by “illegally” crossing LAC to “seriously violate” China’s territorial sovereignty.
The Indian army, however, said that it was actually the PLA that had violated the consensus by carrying out provocative military moves. “Indian troops anticipated this PLA activity on the southern shore of Pangong Tso Lake, took steps to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change the facts on the ground,” Army spokesman Colonel Aman said. Anand.
“The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity,” he added.
On Monday, a flag meeting was held between rival brigade commanders at the Chushul-Moldo border personnel meeting point. The more than five-hour meeting discussed measures to reduce the intense tensions in the area.
The two armies remain locked in the protracted confrontation on the north bank of Pangong Tso, where more than 3,000 PLA soldiers have refused to withdraw east of the 8 km stretch they have occupied from “Finger-4” to “Finger – 8 ‘(mountain spurs jutting into the lake) after building dozens of new fortifications and weapons positions in the area since the beginning of May, as TOI previously reported.
Several rounds of diplomatic and military talks so far have failed to break the stalemate in stalled troop withdrawal at Pangong Tso and Gogra, as well as diminishing rival military build-ups at the strategically located Depsang-Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO). ) sector.
On video: LAC Showdown: New clashes broke out between Indian and Chinese troops in Pangong Tso
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