Leh: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army made a two-pronged transgression into Ladakh – sending troops into Indian waters in the Pangong Lake and five km deep into Indian territory through the land route.
The situation along the banks of the lake has been unstable since the three-week stand-off between the soldiers of the two countries in May 2013 in Depsang plains of Daulat Beg Oldie. Thereafter, Indian army personnel have intercepted Chinese soldiers several times in the area. The last such incident took place in June.
This time, security agencies received reports that Chinese boats moved into Indian waters at the Pangong Lake, nestled in the higher reaches of Ladakh, on October 22. Simultaneously, Chinese troops took the road built alongside the Pangong Lake, which lies 168 km from Leh.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel, who man the Line of Actual Control, the de-facto border between the two countries, intercepted them. The ITBP personal also blocked the Chinese soldiers on mountain terrain vehicles, who were trying to cross over the LAC by road.
The Chinese soldiers had to return after the ITBP personnel did not allow them to move forward.
In September, the Chinese and the Indian soldiers have been engaged in a three-week face off in Ladakh’s Chumur after the PLA had transgressed into Indian territory. After several rounds of talks, the two nations resolved the matter and “status quo ante as on September 1” was restored.
Restoration of the “status quo as on September 1” means no construction would be allowed in the area. India had objected to China constructing a road in the disputed area – from Chebzi to Point 30R. China, on its part, had objected to Indians building an irrigation canal at Demchock, 80 km away