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India in control of Pangong Tso

Counter-measures by readjusting troops level to negate Chinese threat

With China making repeated bids to breach Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the last three-four days in Ladakh, India has also taken counter measures by “readjusting” its troop levels at the disputed Pangong Tso (lake). This will negate any Chinese threat in the north bank of the lake.

The armed forces have further increased vigil all along the 4,000 km LAC from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. All the border guarding forces besides the Army were directed to enhance patrolling in their respective areas of responsibility. The coming weeks may see the deployment of additional forces along the LAC.

Against this backdrop, the Brigadier-level talks on Wednesday after the foiled Chinese attempt to intrude did not yield any results, sources said here. This was the third round in the last three days and more parleys were expected to take place in the next few days to restore peace, they added.

On the latest Indian military step at the Pangong Tso (lake), sources said it is required to deal with the sort of situation that developed on the intervening night of August 29-30 when the Indian Army foiled a major transgression effort on the southern banks of lake by nearly 300 Chinese troops.

A swift manoeuvre by the special forces commandos and regular Army troops denied the Chinese the element of surprise and the Indian Army is now dominating all the major hilltops there including the “Black Top” and “Helmet Top”.

Giving details of the important action by the Indian forces on the northern banks, sources said “as part of precautionary deployment on August 30, some readjustments of our positions on our side was carried out.”

It assumes significance as China dominates the ridgeline there besides “Finger 4”. Finger means mountain spur. The readjustment or tactical deployment will now check any further aggressive move by the Chinese there, sources said.

In fact, the ongoing stand-offs for almost four months now began in early May from northern banks of the Pangong Tso when the Chinese forces intruded and obstructed an Indian patrol near Finger 4. It resulted in exchange of blows leaving several soldiers from both sides injured.

Chinese troops are now fanned out between Finger 4 and Finger 8 area which length wise is about 5 km. The Indian Army is denied to patrol and the Chinese have also erected huts and makeshift bunkers. Despite five rounds of talks at the Corps Commanders level between the two armies, the Chinese forces have not withdrawn from this region leading to tension.

The “brazen” and “provocative” attempt to alter the LAC on August 29-30, meanwhile, has further heightened tension on the entire 1,600 km long LAC in Ladakh sector. The Chinese tried at least three times more to breach the LAC on August 31 and September 1 on the southern banks of the Pangong lake, Chumar, and Depsang. However, prompt countermeasures by the Indian forces did not allow the matters get out of hand.

Both sides have now deployed additional troops in the last three days on all the flashpoints. The two armies have also brought forward their tanks and heavy guns.

In order to maintain unhindered logistical movement, the 400-km long Srinagar-Leh highway is now partially closed for the general public to allow movement of Army convoys.

Thursday, 03 September 2020 | PNS | New Delhi

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