India, China dig in at Chushul in eastern Ladakh; 10,000 PLA troops present at friction point: Reports

New Delhi: With the crucial meeting in Russia between the defence ministers failing to yield any breakthrough, India and China are reported to have strengthened their deployment at the latest friction point in Chushul sub-sector in eastern Ladakh.
This was the first face-to-face high-level contact between the Indian and Chinese leadership since the border dispute erupted in April-May this year. However, the meeting at Moscow on Friday saw both sides stick to their position as far as resolving the deadlock along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was concerned.
The Economic Times reported on Monday that the hardening of the stance has started to reflect on the ground as well, with the Chinese believed to have positioned around 10,000 troops near the strategic heights located near the southern bank of the Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. This after Indian troops seized control of the several key heights after thwarting Chinese attempts to alter the status quo there in the last week of August.
China’s People Liberation Army is also reported to have brought in more infantry vehicles and heavy artillery along with additional troops. And the Indian Army has matched the Chinese build-up at the flashpoint area that extends from Pangong lake’s southern bank to Spanggur gap and the Rechin La (pass) in the Chushul sub-sector.
“High-resolution satellite images suggest that the People’s Liberation Army has further strengthened its position at the standoff points. They are building more military structures, besides deploying more soldiers and tanks,” The Telegraph quoted an Intelligence Bureau official as saying.
Times Now had earlier reported that at some of these flashpoints, Indian and Chinese troops are separated by just a few hundred metres and are easily within the firing range of each other.
However, the Indian troops are in an advantageous position by virtue of them being present on the heights and are able to watch every move of the Chinese Army.
On the northern bank of the Pangong lake, meanwhile, the situation continues to remain tense with troops from both countries facing-off at Finger 4 ridgeline. While the Chinese continue to occupy the height there, the Indian troops too advanced over the last few days and are close to the Chinese positions.