Situation remains tense near Pangong lake; Chinese troops increase in numbers, IAF jets carry out sorties

New Delhi: Amid the heightened border tension between India and China, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is strengthening its presence in Finger area north of Pangong lake, reports said on Wednesday. It is being said that besides increasing the number of soldiers in the area, the Chinese army is arming its men with stick-machetes and also bringing in more materials and logistics items to the area.
The tension near the Pangong lake escalated after Chinese troops had undertaken ‘provocative military movements’ on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 and attempted to change the status quo on the lake’s southern bank. The Indian Army guarding the area had preempted the Chinese move and thwarted the attempt.
The Indian soldiers in the process took position at number of strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso and strengthened its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese actions.
The Chinese build-up in the region increased after the skirmish on the southern bank of the lake took place on September 7. The Indian Army claimed that the PLA troops attempted to close in on its position in eastern Ladakh on September 7 evening and also fired shots in the air.
“In the instant case on September 7, it was the PLA troops who were attempting to close-in with one of our forward positions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and when dissuaded by own (Indian) troops, PLA troops fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate own troops,” the Army said in a statement.
Army’s statement comes after the PLA accused Indian forces of crossing the LAC and “outrageously fired” warning shots near the lake.
Meanwhile, some reports also said that the Indian military has also strengthened its positions and the fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF), including Sukhoi-30, MIGs have been carrying our regular sorties in the area.
Government sources said that armed with rods, spears, clubs and pole weapons called ‘Guandao’, 50-60 Chinese soldiers tried to aggressively close in on an Indian position in Mukhpari area of Rezang-La ridgeline. However, the PLA troops were forced to retreat after strong confrontation from the Indian side.
Indian forces continue to dominate strategic peaks around the southern bank of Pangong lake area which helps it to dominate the Chinese Moldo garrison and the Spangur Gap under Chinese control.
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