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As Indian Army outflanks China on southern banks of Pangong Tso, PLA issues verbal warning

Chinese PLA’s Western Theatre Command issues statement accusing Indian Army of violating consensus reached at multi-level talks between the countries.

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New Delhi: Specialised elements of the Indian Army outflanked China’s People’s Liberation Army on the night of 29 August, dominating at least four locations claimed by both sides near the southern bank of the Pangong Tso.

The action drew a sharp verbal reaction from the Chinese military, with the Western Theatre Command of the PLA, which oversees borders with India, issuing a statement accusing the Indian Army of violating the consensus reached at the multi-level talks between both countries.

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 31, 2020

The remarks by the PLA came hours after the Indian Army issued a statement, saying that on the night of 29 August, PLA troops violated the agreed consensus, and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo.

It said Indian troops pre-empted PLA activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso, undertook measures to strengthen positions and “thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground”, adding that the Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquillity through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity.


Also read: Why southern bank of Pangong Tso is the new flashpoint in India-China stand-off


Control of heights

Elaborating on the Army statement, a source said after picking up intelligence about Chinese movement at around 11 pm Saturday to “capture fresh territory in the cover of darkness”, Indian troops moved in faster and occupied the heights that are claimed by both countries.

“The Chinese had planned to capture these heights, which would have given them an advantage. In such terrain, anyone who has the heights holds the upper hand,” the source said.

However, the PLA denied any such move, saying Chinese troops are taking necessary measures in response to Indian troops’ “provocations”, and will closely follow the situation and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, peace and stability at the border.

Government sources said the Army deployed troops in certain key areas, including Rezang La, and carried out reconnaissance of other important heights in the vicinity over the past several days.

With heights being dominated now, the Army has also moved in additional troops, who have been brought in from the reserve columns that were deployed in eastern Ladakh after the stand-off with China began in early May.

Sources said domination of hilltops and passes in areas claimed by both sides, but where the Indians had the upper hand, was always part of the “military options” that Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat had mentioned. However, there was no physical clash between the two sides, the sources said.

Sources explained India’s move as a “race to the passes”, saying whoever gets to the heights first in a hilly terrain dominates the area. They said the demand within a certain section in the defence and security establishment was that India should dominate heights and passes in locations where it can, in order to counter China’s aggression in other areas.

Even though formal talks between the two sides have not made any headway since July, China continues with its massive military build-up along the LAC, which includes construction of new heliports and surface-to-air missiles sites.


Also read: China digs heels in for winter, continues building roads and bridges on own side of LAC


 

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20 COMMENTS

  1. PM MODIJI HAS SUCCESSFULLY RETRIVED INDIA ECONOMY AS INDIAN GUJARATI- MIND YOU, GUJRATIES& MARWADIS ARE BEST BUSINESS PEOPLE IN INDIA, THEY SHOW RESULTS, THEY TALK LESS & SHOW WORK & RESULTS, GUJRATIES TRUST PEOPLE & HELP PEOPLE, WAIT & SEE WHAT MODI JI WILL DO TO ALL WHO TROUBPE OUR INDIA COUNTRY.

  2. Occupying the heights has one advantage that you can view and report whatever the enemy is planning.
    Troops on the heights cannot mount strong attacks, since artillery can’t be taken to 15-17000 ft peaks and ridges. They can give prior warning to our tanks and forces at lower levels in the plains and keep them alerted.
    Hopefully our troops on these heights have the Russian version of the Stinger missiles to shoot down any Chinese aircraft that try and bomb them off the heights.

  3. It would seem that the IA has found a chink in the Chinese armor (pun intended). There’s news around the interwebs that there were clashes and the Chinese even suffered casualties in a counter-op led by the Vikas battalion which is made up of Tibetan refugees.

    Last time, the Chinese refused to release the number of casualties they suffered as they equate the loss of men with loss of honor. So, it would seem we can go on killing their soldiers and they’ll go on pretending that nothing happened.

    This in turn would mean they will have no reason to escalate and retaliate as to take things to the next level, they will first have to show significant losses. Else, they will appear to be overreacting. Also, using Tibetans to attack the Chinese? Talk about rubbing salt on an open wound!

  4. In the world history there is no record of a war between two democracies, It is always one democracy against an authoritarian rule.
    After over hundred years France and Germany came together as normal neighbors, only after both became stable democracies.
    So until both China and Pakistan become full and stable democracies, the problems will have to be lived through by India.
    It will keep a lot of people in business, the ruling dispensations will be blamed but will not be changed because of the result of conflict.(1962)
    So one win here or a set back there should be reported without hysteria.
    War readiness is a major economic activity.

  5. Quit Tibet and hand over the power back to citizens of Tibet…. China was never a neighbour of India. Taking over Tibet proves how insecure China is but China is under the impression that it is gaining control over the geographical area.

    • They could ask you to leave Kashmir. In fact, they are in a better position to support Kashmiris than you can support Tibet. So don’t push your Hindu luck too much. Amit Shah pushed it and India got a beating, and Modi and his Hindutva cowards had to go quiet.

  6. Thank god that for once the Indian army leadership has been proactive and did not wait for support from the leader of the opposition in the parliament

  7. Tribhuvan Darbari – It is the first time in the last several decades or since the inception of the Indo-China border dispute that China is crying about the aggression by India. Otherwise, we have always heard India crying about the intrusion by PLA. At least, somewhere China seems to be incapacitated. Its economy is hurt, it has also been cornered by the world, and now it is facing scath from every nook and corner. The world is going against China and it has turned to be a victory of Indian diplomacy. #TribhuvanDarbari #Tribhuvan #Darbari #TribhuvanDarbariBlog #TribhuvanDarbariBlogger #TribhuvanDarbariViews #IndiaChinaFaceoff #LatestNews

        • It is holding up better than those who were touching Xi’s feet and got a beating in Galwan, and had to keep quiet to avoid another beating.

      • Jehadi muslims feel the same.China taking care if the jehadi muslims in right way.Paki muslims know once they shout,they will be raped like any thing.Jehadi muslims getting kicked by even arabian muslims.

        • The problem with recommending killing Kashmiri Muslims is they will kill Hindus also, and they may spread the attacks to rest of India, and the neighbours may join in, and you know you cannot take it.

          The Kashmiri Pandits ran away when attacked by a few militants from abroad and the govt. asked them to come to Jammu to camps.

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