India halts China’s attempt to alter status quo in Ladakh’s Pangong Lake

Photograph for representational purpose only.

Chinese troops “carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo” near Pangong Tso lake on August 29 but were blocked by Indian soldiers, the government said. This took place on the south bank of the Pangong Tso, which is of huge significance as it is a new area, according to reports.

A Brigade Commander-level meeting is on at Chushul to defuse tension, the government said. The Ladakh-Srinagar highway has been closed to civilian traffic, reportedly for troop movement. Indian forces remain in large numbers at the latest site of escalation, ready to respond. Some Chinese forces remain in the area, reports said.

The move took place overnight between August 29 and 30, according to a statement by the Army. Chinese soldiers came “in large numbers” along the south bank of the Pangong Lake, said sources, and the intent was to unilaterally occupy areas.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops “violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo,” said the statement.

“Indian troops preempted this PLA activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground,” it said, adding that the army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, “but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity”.

There were no physical skirmishes; the Army was aware of the Chinese move and established themselves in a move to block the Chinese advance, reports said.
A deadlock over parts of Ladakh where the Chinese army set up camp earlier this year has not been resolved despite five rounds of talks between the militaries of both nations.