India thwarts PLA bid, takes key heights

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 31

Fresh tensions have erupted between India and China, this time in the area between Thakung and Chushul along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China attempted to change the status quo at the LAC two days ago but was reportedly thwarted by the Indian Army.

Read also: PLA at it again

One SFF officer was reportedly killed and at least two were injured in the operation. So far, the death has been attributed to a mine explosion.

The first incident on August 29-30 night triggered by the PLA occurred on the southern side of Pangong Tso, a 135-km glacial lake, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday morning.

The SFF action took place in two areas —- the south bank of Pangong Tso and Rezang La, which is further south of Chushul.

Since May, clashes have taken place at the Galwan valley and north bank of Pangong Tso, making this the first such incident south of Pangong Tso. The area between Thakung and moving southwards towards Chushul is sensitive as a road runs almost parallel to the LAC for several kilometres. Thakung is an Indian military base located on the LAC. Chushul is an important base located 50 km south of Thakung.

The MoD statement said: “The PLA carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo (at the LAC). Indian troops pre-empted this activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso and undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change the facts on the ground”.

Sources said the armies of the two sides had a physical clash as some 400 PLA soldiers attempted to change the status quo along the LAC. The PLA move has led to troop deployment at three fresh locations around ‘Black Top’, a mountain top just south of Thakung that is higher than 14,000 feet.

A Brigade Commander-level flag meeting was conducted at Chushul along the LAC to resolve the issues, but the matter remains unsettled. On Monday, the PLA Western Theater Command accused India of “illegally crossing the line” on August 31 at two points.

Rising tensions

• August 29-30 night: PLA tries to alter LAC status on Pangong’s southern side
• August 31: In a counter operation, Indian troops of the Special Frontier Force, comprising Tibetans in India, occupy key mountain heights claimed by China

IAF surveillance up as China deploys fighter jets

• Besides the Army, the IAF has also been told to enhance its surveillance in key LAC areas
• China has reportedly deployed J-20 long-range fighter jets and several other key assets in strategically located Hotan airbase, 310 km from eastern Ladakh