In yet another example of unabated Chinese transgression into India across the line of Actual Control(lAC), China last week prevented an Indian patrol from moving around in its own sector in ladakh. While Chinese troops claimed the territory as its own, Indian Jawans refused to back down. The Indian Army will raise this issue during the next meeting of commanders of two sides shortly.
The incident took place in North ladakh when the Indian troops were patrolling between two of their posts located 14 km apart along the lAC. The Chinese troops mounted on vehicles rushed to the spot and asked the Indians through banners to go back leading to a minor face-off.
Refraining from commenting on the latest incident, Army sources in Delhi said on Sunday “we patrol up to our perception of the lAC. Contentious issues are resolved through joint mechanisms like Border Personnel Meetings” and this issue will also be taken up in that forum.
Sources said the Chinese troops were aggressive in their approach while interjecting the Indian patrol adding the two posts are well within the Indian territory.
They also said the Chinese had tried to stop the Indian patrol in this area 21 times in the last four months and the Indian teams could complete patrol only on two occasions. Chinese have constructed an observation post in that particular zone to monitor movement of Indian troops and India has protested against it.
Indiahad raised objections in the last Border Personnel Meeting on July 27 about the construction of this tower in Demchok-Fukhche Sector. India maintained the construction was violation of Peace and Tranquility Agreement inked between the two countries in 1993. It stipulates that no construction work can be done at the lAC by either country.
The Chinese side claimed that the tower was a weather station for the benefit of the people of the area and countered Indian delegation that its Army was engaged in military activities in Fukhche.
The Indian side led by Brigadier Sanjeev Rai told the Chinesse team that PlA troops were regularly entering into the Indian area, sources said. It gave instances like on July 16 and 19 when the Chinese troops entered 1.2 km deep into Indian territory, on July 17 (2.5 km), on July 20 (aggressive patrol entered 200 metres) and intervening night of July 25-26 (3.5 km).
These incursions mainly happened in Chumar and Demchok areas, located 300 km from leh. Sources said the ‘assertive posturing’ by the Chinese troops was a worrying trend which had been seen lately after the April 15 face-off at the Daulat Beg Oldie(DBO) Sector lasting over 20 days.
Incidentally, the Chinese troops had intruded into Chumar last month and dismantled an unmanned Indian Army surveillance camera and took it away. The camera was returned after a fortnight following strong protest.