ISLAMABAD – The standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies along theLine of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh appears to be worsening,Indian Media said on Tuesday as the troops of the two countries reported tobe in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation at several locations along thede-facto border.
Top Indian military sources told TimesNowNews that the “present situationmay evolve to become the biggest standoff” between the two countries sincethe 73-day-long Doklam dispute of 2017. After China is believed to havemoved in some 5,000 troops at several locations along the LAC in EasternLadakh, India too has increased its strength, especially in Pangong Tso andGalwan Valley – the two areas from where standoff has been reported overthe past few weeks.
At both Pangong Tso lake and Galwan valley, the People’s Liberation Army(PLA) of China has moved in troops and built temporary structures,including erecting tents and building bunkers, besides also deploying heavyequipment.
‘Not a routine standoff’
In conversation with the news agency, former Northern Army Commander Lt Gen(retired) DS Hooda described the situation as a serious one and “not anormal kind of transgression”.
Army sources said China had deployed troops around several key locationsincluding Indian Post KM120 along the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie roadin Galwan Valley. This is a matter of particular concern as in the pastthere was no dispute between the two countries as far as territorialjurisdiction of Galwan Valley was concerned.
Strategic Affairs expert Ambassador Ashok K Kantha also described thepresent situation as disturbing, saying it was not a routine standoff. Whyexperts may be saying this is because the armies of India and China, atpresent, are in eyeball-to-eyeball- serious confrontation in several areasincluding Pangong Tso, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie.
According to Indian media, in order to keep the Chinese aggression undercheck, Indian troops are undertaking “aggressive patrolling” at sensitivepoints, including Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie.
According to sources, the situation has escalated this time and diplomaticefforts at the top level may be required to defuse the tensions along theLAC.
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The confrontation had started on the evening of May 5 when around 250soldiers from India and China engaged in a violent face-off in EasternLadakh. The situation de-escalated the next day only after local commandersof the two armies spoke. Around 100 soldiers from both sides were injuredin the clash during which the two sides exchanged blows and indulged instone-pelting.
Four days later, a similar confrontation took place near Naku La Pass inNorth Sikkim. At least 10 soldiers from both sides were injured in theclash. Last week, India had accused China of creating hindrance in normalpatrolling by its Army. The
Ministry of External Affairs also rejected China’s claim that Indian forceshad trespassed onto the Chinese side.
On the other hand, some India media reports said the direct top-levelpolitico-diplomatic intervention was “now likely for de-escalation” of thealmost month-long military confrontation between Indian and Chinesesoldiers in soldiers in eastern Ladakh.
There are an estimated 1,200-1,500 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiersnow directly engaged in the almost eyeball-to face offs at four to fivelocations on the northern bank of Pangong Tso (Tso means lake), Demchokand the Galwan Valley region.
“The PLA has also moved some of its border defence regiments closer to theLAC, with at least 5,000 soldiers being diverted towards the border from anexercise being held in the region,” media reports quoting Indian governmentsaid sources on Monday.
“China is committed to safeguarding the security of its nationalterritorial sovereignty, as well as safeguarding peace and stability in theChina-India border areas,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’soffice said in a statement.
