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Indian soldiers at LAC have go-ahead to open fire in self-defence, India tells China

With no signs of disengagement on the ground in Ladakh, where India and China have been locked in a stand-off since April, both sides will stay dug in during the region’s bitter winter too.

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New Delhi: India has made it clear to China that its soldiers will open fire to defend themselves, and Chinese tactics of “using mass” — or seeking to outnumber Indian soldiers, like in the 15 June Galwan Valley clash — will not be tolerated, top government sources said.

With no signs of disengagement on the ground in Ladakh, where India and China have been locked in a stand-off since April, both sides will stay dug in during the region’s bitter winter too, the sources added. The Chinese, they added, have deployed around 50,000 soldiers and equipment, including missile systems, tanks and artillery, at the border.

The sources’ comments come as the ground situation in Ladakh remains the same despite the Chinese seemingly adopting a reconciliatory approach during different levels of dialogue. They suggest that India has changed its rules of engagement for the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where firing of shots was thus far barred under a bilateral agreement, since the 15 June Galwan Valley clash. 

The clash had resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, and many Chinese troops.

“We have told our soldiers that they can open fire if there is a fear of their own safety. They can fire for self-defence,” a source said, adding that China has been told the same.

According to the sources, there is no question of believing Chinese words of peace unless their deeds on the ground match up. The sources also said China has given them a number for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers killed in the Galwan Valley clash — a number Beijing has yet to publicly acknowledge.

The Chinese, sources said, have told the Indian side that five of their soldiers, including a commanding officer, had died in the clash. “If the Chinese are saying five, we can easily double it if not triple it,” a top South Block officer said.

Chinese soldiers far outnumbered Indian troops during the Galwan Valley clash, which took place after a disengagement effort went awry.

“The Chinese tactic was to come in large numbers with clubs and crude weapons and surround Indians, who followed the laid-down protocols and moved in a much lesser manner,” one of the sources quoted above said.

“According to the agreement, both sides are supposed to have a 15-20-member-strong patrol team. Over the last few years (since Doklam), the Chinese started increasing numbers,” the source added..

Sources said since the intervening night of 29-30 August, when Indian soldiers moved in to capture several heights near the southern bank of the Pangong Tso, there has been a number of occasions when shots were fired in the air.


Also Read: India, China say won’t send more troops to Ladakh frontlines, agree to avoid misunderstandings


‘Both sides preparing for winter deployment’

Both sides, sources said, are likely to stay deployed in the forward areas of Ladakh through the winter, with China insisting on disengaging from the southern bank of the Pangong Tso first while India has been clear that it has to happen in in all areas simultaneously.

“India is also of the opinion that since it was the Chinese who initiated the aggression, they should be the first one to start disengaging,” a source added.

The sources admitted that while India has been seeking complete disengagement and status quo ante (return to positions before the stand-off began, following Chinese incursions in April), the current positions will continue to be held for some time, as reported by ThePrint earlier this week.

“I can’t put a time-frame on when the disengagement will happen. The position stays as it is,” one of the above-mentioned sources said.


Also Read: 5 maps that tell you all you want to know about India vs China in Ladakh


‘Depsang issue predates current tensions’

Talking about Depsang Plains, one of the flashpoints in Ladakh, the sources said the issue there predates the current tensions between India and China. Without getting into a timeline, the sources said there are no Chinese soldiers camping at the Bottleneck, also known as Y-Junction.

“We go by foot beyond Bottleneck as vehicles cannot cross that area. The Chinese observe our movement and they have deployed two vehicles that come and block our path well before Patrol Point 10. But we have been reaching our patrolling points using other routes,” a source said.

“But since the tensions began, we have avoided pushing ahead so as not to create fresh escalation,” the source added, saying both sides have built up in depth areas. 


Also Read: Xi’s motivations behind LAC standoff and why China has been hyperactive since 2017


 

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14 COMMENTS

  1. Soldiers are trained to shoot to kill, not show banners, or give warnings.. If someone crossing the border clearly shows hostile intent, soldiers ought to shoot. Why did this brake government forbid the soldiers from doing their duty?

  2. India’s economic recession (COVID-19) is severe. China has gradually recovered from the epidemic. Use your head to think about who needs war to shift conflicts

  3. China people and the communist party and it’s president cannot be trusted nor yheyrevercan be honest in dealing or in bilateral agreement
    They are danger not only to India bit danger to the world
    Communist party won’t mind sacrificing their millions of Chinese
    To gain control of other regions and control of navigation in the Indian
    Ocean in my opinion they will risk the war rather than sit qiet without
    Expanding their borders and their territories their aim to have greater China that include Tibet and part of India .To subjugate the Asia under their power This madness is unlikely to end
    British have offered advance air craft to manufacture jointly by India and British
    Hope India realized .this will be end of India’s independence
    Even now in2020 British intelligence agents have influenced the hospital in India not to treat me not to give correct diagnosis
    Of which not only the High Commission of India in London knows complete details and history
    But also Ministry of external affairs new Delhi are not only aware without taking action that shows cowardness
    I am Jagindar Nath Gadhok a British citizen living in India as a refugee from the second day I left Birmingham from 27 September 2019
    Was tortured whole of my life
    Only yesterday I lodged complaint to Uno human right committe providing them multiple documents with attachments
    In1988 when e European lady took my side (who was in Delhi Lodi road) British govt got her transferred
    Their supreme court judges are dishonest unethical can be influenced by the Prime Minister as was in my case in 1985 my petition was against the UK govt subject matters was torturs
    Sickness benefit for 3 years 9 months during 1956-63 sickness benefit and invalidity benefits from 1980 mobility allowance from 1980
    Civil Service pension as a Tax
    Officer on medical enhancement
    Change of my National Health Service medical records from persecution mania psychopath Schizophrenia paranoid classical stuborn neurotic etc etc to what is true
    I escaped brain operation thrice
    As per Dr David Glover CPN report of march 2018 I have never suffered mental illnesses I have been fighting for justice through out myife I ran away to Russia to save myself from brain operation
    The her majesty supreme court changed my subject matter to mobility allowance respondent to chief ajudication officer
    The judgement was that I was not I’ll left UK in1977 to live in India
    The proceedings of severe disability of 3 Feb 1988 and Department of health and social security medical ajudication Dr Smith report of 1977 is multiple bizzare symptoms most difficult to assess under allopathic terms
    Severe disability proceedings goes back to 1973 accepting Zuric report
    Both these reports are missing from the court and from the department as per two letters to me by the office of the social security Commissioner
    I was geriatic cum zombie with stupour premature old according to medical report of Dr Alzaidy GP in 1986 to cattermole .only one solicitor arranged by lord May in whole of my life
    Tax officer made sure that Solicitors won’t take my case
    Some one lodged in 2020 c
    Petition at the international court of justice Hague it is I believe British govt agents influenced it had to be withdrawn my claim for compensation are 500 billions pounds of which high commission of India in London are aware
    British govt have isolated me since 1960 keeping in poverty since 1980
    Not paying my proper old age pension nor paying pension as a tax officer of the Inland revenue department of treasury that comes under The Rt Hon British prime minister . I have not received medical treatment since 1945
    In 2018 the department of health sisters doctors psychiatrist of good hope hospital recommended I should not be allowed to leave mental home
    Fortunately Dr David Glover community psychiatrist to whom I was referred gave full reports in my favour
    Even after his reports psychological tortures started that is why I left Birmingham on the 26 September 2019 arriving in Birmingham on 27 September 2019 I was in patient for loss of memory for one month
    I could not pass urine kidney became very small prostrate enlargement third degree
    British agents influence k m.c hospital Mangalore where local hospital referred me for urgent prostatic surgery
    It was not carried out local Karnataka govt hospital urologist helped similar other cases.

  4. There is cost of the present stand-off between India and China. The one who loses in negotiation, who not wnat to bear the cost or no money to bear the cost.

  5. I have a strong gut feeling, when the winter will be at its peak, Indian Army will surge ahead & capture Chinese occupied Indian land, that won’t be attacking China, but teaching Chinese policy makers, a very hard lesson, not to mess with PM Modi & India. India will be applauded worldover & Chinese will have to keep “no reaction, no retaliation” & then there will be offer to come to negotiating table. They will have a fear of losing Tibet. Indian might will be reinforced once & for all, centuries to come. Other countries in Chinese neighbourhood will get a solid adrenaline boost.

  6. What is actually happening in whole of Ladakh border, nobody knows, even no news house/media. Whatever news general public are getting all are fabricated based on assumptions. My request is please allow our great army to do their job and also request all media houses not to spread fear psychosis among general Indian public. We have every faith on our army. They are cutting heads of Pakistani terrorists and now they will cut off the throats of yellow dragons. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

    • India said Pakistani terrorists apparently struck in Pulwama and killed 59. They will be still doing it in J & K, but now you have no news.

      In Galwan, the yellow dragons threw 20 of the brown slumdogs into the river and the army could not do anything and the PM kept quiet. The advantage seems to be with the yellow dragons.

  7. It is not good for both the countries (Indo China). Unfortunately and gradually , actions & precautions by Indo China on LAC , are taking the region(South Asia) , towards a big clash .
    Exactly , not good for this region and ultimately , a very bad situation is emerging. which can take the world to , worse & fatal outcome.
    Must be taken care of immediately , by every civilized country on the globe.

  8. That’s Neat Honest Journalism.
    Would love to pay More. Let financial conditions improve.
    Don’t mind Good Clean Logical mind vibrating ads. if they ring the bell

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