Chinese PLA troops in fresh Ladakh intrusion

Despite conducting joint tactical exercises with China in Ladakh, transgressions by the Chinese seem to be continuing. According to a news agency reports from Leh, in a fresh transgression in the Ladakh sector, Chinese PLA troops entered almost 6 km deep inside Indian territory near the scenic Pangong lake area this week leading to a stand-off between security personnel of the two sides.

Chinese troops often transgress into Indian territory as both countries have different perceptions of the line of actual control (LAC) demarcation in J&K and Arunachal sectors which they have never mutually agreed upon. The government says this is the main reasons why transgressions occur as both sides patrol up to their respective perception of the border.

The incident reportedly occurred on March 8 when a platoon of at least 11 PLA men led by a colonel crossed over the LAC at “Finger VIII” Sirjap-I area, close to Pangong lake. The Chinese soldiers entered in four vehicles — two light, one medium and one heavy — from across the Thakung border post of India and reached 5.5 km deep inside Indian territory, sources were cited by news agencies as saying.

Apparently, the Chinese soldiers were soon “countered and engaged” by a patrol of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP) and they were locked in “eye-to-eye ball” confrontation for a few hours after which the situation got defused and the other side retreated. The Chinese platoon was reportedly led by a Colonel-rank officer and included two Majors.

According to reports, the Chinese side was well equipped while the ITBP men were also carrying weapons and equipment for a long range patrol of the area.

The situation along the banks of the 90 sq km Pangong lake, two-third of which is under Chinese control, has always remained volatile with Chinese troops being intercepted by Indian Army patrol several times after the three-week long stand-off in the Depsang plains of Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in May, 2013.