India ramps up troop strength as 4,000 Chinese troops at face-off locations
The Chinese Army has intruded at least three to four kms into the Hot Springs area of Eastern Ladakh and pitched tents there. India has ramped up its troop strength after the Chinese more than doubled their presence at all the four stand-off sites in the region. There are now about 4,000 Chinese soldiers at the face-off locations.
Also, at most of the places especially Galwan valley, the Chinese have started constructing barracks for additional troops and heightened aerial surveillance though on its own side of the LAC by helicopters.
While the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains tense due to these ongoing stand-offs on for the past 20-25 days, the local commanders of the two armies of the rank of Brigadiers have held more than five rounds of talk including one on Sunday. However, these parleys, so far, have failed to defuse the situation. Diplomatic efforts are also on at various levels between the two countries to avoid the situation from escalating further.
Giving these details here on Monday, sources in the security establishment also said the face-offs are spread over an area of more than 30 km but confined to small pockets.
The transgression in the Hot Springs area is turning out to be the most challenging as the Chinese troops have come in more than three kms into the Indian territory thereby clearly transgressing the LAC and mutually agreed protocols, officials said. Hot Springs is south east of the Galwan valley.
In an obvious pressure tactics, the Chinese have also pitched tents indicating they intend to stay put for some time, sources said. In response, the Indian side has also brought forwards its troops as a defensive measure to check any further move by the Chinese. In fact, this is the general pattern in all the four stand-off situations now.
Of the 4,000 to 5,000 Chinese troops, majority are present at Pangong Tso lake, which saw a violent face-off earlier this month with both sides engaged in fisticuffs.
The Chinese control three-fourth of this lake and has increased the number of patrol boats besides troops and heavy vehicles on the banks of the river. India has also taken precautionary measures like deploying more troops and regular monitoring of the situation by senior officers.
Since terrain and weather are a big challenge with all the stand-offs at a height of more than 14,000 feet, India has already started acclimatisation of its troops in case more of them have to be deployed, sources said. The Daulat Beg Oldie air field capable of take-off and landing to giant transport planes is also ready for flights if need be to induct additional troops, they added.
Contrary to the perception that local Chinese commanders aggravated the situation in Ladakh in the last month at multiple points in a frontage of 25 to 30 km, sources said the pattern suggested the orders came from more senior level. Realising the gravity of the situation, sources said India is also prepared for a long haul to deter any move by the other side even as military and diplomatic efforts are on to bring down the temperature at the LAC.
Moreover, India has repeatedly rejected China’s claim of increasing tension and said the Chinese had proved to be a hindrance for the Indian patrols in the Galwan valley. They also objected to a strategic 200 km long road running parallel to the LAC with India constantly maintaining it is well within its territory.