In yet one more reminder that the factual border between India and China remains contentious in several regions beyond Ladakh, details are emerging about the most recent incursion by Chinese forces, now in Uttarakhand’s Barahoti region, North of the Nanda Devi biosphere reserve.
Close to 100 soldiers of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) transgressed 5 km across the road of Actual Control or LAC last month, the Economic Times reported earlier on.
The transgression occurred on August 30, and therefore the Chinese troops returned after some hours from the realm guarded by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), agency PTI said.
The report cited people aware of the matter who said Indian troops responded with a “tit-for-tat strategy” and “carried out patrolling”.
There was no official inquire into the Chinese transgression. Sources said that there was no damage to any infrastructure within the area.
The incident comes amid a unbroken standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in several areas in eastern Ladakh though each side completed disengagement in two sensitive locations.
According to sources quoted by the PTI, minor transgressions are happening in Barahoti due to differing perceptions about the LAC by either side.
However, what surprised the Indian officials was the amount of Chinese military personnel who transgressed on August 30, they said.
The Chinese side has also significantly ramped up infrastructure development along the LAC within the sector.
India has been maintaining a strict vigil along the nearly 3,500-km LAC following the eastern Ladakh standoff.
The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year in eastern Ladakh following a violent clash within the Pangong lake area. each side gradually ramped up their presence by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers moreover as heavy weaponry.
As a results of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the 2 sides completed the disengagement process within the Gogra area last month.
In February, the 2 sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with a disengagement agreement.
Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the road of Actual Control (LAC) within the sensitive sector.
