Video shows Indian troops challenging Chinese in Ladakh, but Army says ‘not authenticated’

Indian soldiers can be seen hitting the windows of a vehicle with rods and stones in an attempt to intimidate the Chinese in Pangong Lake area of Ladakh.

An army convoy moving towards the Zojilla pass, in Drass, Ladakh on 28 May 2020 | Representational image | ANI

New Delhi: An undated video of Indian troops challenging a group of Chinese soldiers and clashing with them in the Pangong Lake area of Ladakh emerged Sunday.

But the Army said it was not authenticated and attempts to link it with the tension along the Line of Actual Control were malafide.

The 2-minutes-and-45-seconds video, which has been accessed by ThePrint, shows Indian security personnel challenging a group of Chinese soldiers who had brought in their Dongfeng 4×4 vehicle too.

The Indian soldiers can be seen hitting the windows of the vehicle with rods and stones in an attempt to intimidate the Chinese. The windows of the vehicle clearly appear bullet proof as they do not break.

The Indian personnel are seen not carrying any weapons. Both ITBP and the Army jointly patrol along the Line of Actual Control.

They are carrying polypropylene shields with “Police” written on them to protect themselves from the Chinese stone pelting.

There are shouts of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” as the Chinese troops retreat.

One soldier can be seen lying down injured, but his identity is not ascertained.

But the Army said the video was not authenticated.

“It has been brought to our notice that a video is doing the rounds in social media on an incident on the borders. The contents of video being circulated are not authenticated. Attempt to link it with the situation on the Northern borders is malafide,” the Army said in a statement.

“Currently no violence is happening,” it added.

The statement said differences are being addressed through interaction between military commanders, guided by established protocols on management of borders between the two countries.

“We strongly condemn attempts to sensationalise issues impacting national security. The media is requested not to air visuals that are likely to vitiate the current situation on the borders.”

In August 2017, a video had emerged just days after the troops from both sides clashed in the Pangong Lake area.

Indian Army wants status quo

As reported by ThePrint on 10 May, there was a clash between Indian and Chinese troops on the banks of the Pangong Lake on 5 May in which several soldiers from both sides were injured.

The first move came from the Chinese who attacked Indian personnel with stones and sticks. Taken aback by the sudden attack, the Indian soldiers also hit back.

However, several of the Indian soldiers suffered injuries with many head wounds due to stone pelting.

Though official disengagement did take place, more troops were rushed to the location.

The situation in eastern Ladakh has since been tense with China building up troops at various locations on their side of the LAC even as they transgressed in the Finger Area as well as larger Hot Springs area.

The Chinese diverted troops from a military exercise that was being held on their side and moved soldiers to forward locations in the Galwan Valley.

Indians have also done counter deployment and as reported by ThePrint earlier, there is a face off in at least four locations.

Even though the Chinese have now spoken about “resolving differences”, Indian Army is waiting for the words to turn into action on the ground.

The Indian Army has demanded that earlier status quo be maintained by China at the LAC.