New Delhi: Chinese soldiers are busy blacktopping a track in the disputed ‘finger’ area of Pangong lake in Ladakh after blocking the path of Indian patrols with a new bunker, two bulldozers and a moat-like construction.
Sources told ThePrint the fresh Chinese construction activity has been happening around Finger 4, a disputed territory. Blacktopping is the final stage of building a motorable road.
The 134 km of Pangong lake’s northern bank juts out like a palm, and the various protrusions are identified as “fingers” to demarcate territory. While India asserts that the LAC (Line of Actual Control) starts at Finger 8, China claims it starts at Finger 2, which India dominates.
In 1999, during the Kargil War when Indian forces were diverted, the Chinese had stepped in and built a track up to Finger 5, but this was not completely blacktopped.
As reported earlier, Chinese troops have stepped into the disputed ‘Finger’ area, which witnessed fist fights and stone-pelting on the evening of 5 May.
ThePrint first reported on 10 May that additional troops were pressed in to the area even though the Army said formal “disengagement” happened.
Also read: India waits for China’s diplomatic words to ‘translate into action on ground’ at LAC in Ladakh
New bunker, bulldozers to block Indian patrols
Sources said the Chinese have dug up a moat-kind of structure and also blocked the route of Indian patrols with two bulldozers.
They said the Chinese are working at a fast pace blacktopping the route. This has always been the Chinese strategy and construction happens at super-fast speed, sources added.
Even though the area is disputed, Indian patrols used to move up to Finger 5, but if the Chinese don’t move, patrolling teams won’t be able to go much beyond Finger 3.
The construction is happening at a time when the Chinese have spoken about “resolving differences”.
On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told his US counterpart Dr Mark T. Esper that it would use “existing bilateral mechanism” to ease tensions with China along the LAC in Ladakh, after US President Donald Trump offered to play mediator for the two Asian giants.
Also read: China believes India wants Aksai Chin back. PLA has likely secured 40-60 sq km in Ladakh
Not appreciated to share such posts, which are neither have any authenticity nor shared by any government handle. It’s directly related to national security and such posts not going to help our security forces either way. Have trust on government and Armed Forces, regardless of political ideology, they are doing what is necessary and what serves countries best interest.
Finger positions onces for all we have to take hold of finger pistion and build roads and Tolly bunker s there permantelly
( if true) Upset at Chinky blacktoping strip at finger area . When will it be time to repay them all across the border in areas of our advantage? Since it appears they give two hoots to LAC ? Vandematarm
Sources say….sources say…..i think ….Print has representative in PLA which updating Print so clearly that all other mainstream media are sleeping..😂😂…pity to print
Wuhan and Mahabprm Spirits are watching from above the Sky
India is being bullied publicly……………Modi & his Merry Generals have not uttered even a single word against China in one month since intrusions began …………Those calling Rahul Gandhi Pappu should see the real Papoos !!!
Yes you paid moron Pappu has already won the war
This crisis is a good thing for India.
LAC is fluid for China at will which means it will violate at its convenience and occupy Indian territories.
This should also mean India do not consider LAC as something set in Stone.
India should take advantage of this fluid LAC without sticking the any principle stand and venture into western & southern Tibet, Aksai chin, north frontier of Bhutan.
In addition debunk one China policy and set up Taiwan high commission and formalize Tibetan government in exile.
When doing this maintain straight face and say we support democracy and resolve dispute through dialogue doing nothing.
Never trust China and pay in currency that it understands.