Sunday 1st Dec, 2024
Leh: Indian and Chinese Army authorities today held a meeting in Chusul area of Leh a day after PLA troops reportedly entered the India territory along the banks of the Pangong lake in the Ladakh sector, even as both the countries sought to play down the happenings.
According to sources, ”incidents” and measures to strengthen existing mechanism for maintaining peace and tranquility on the border were discussed.
A day later, Indian and People’s Liberation Army officials, sources said, were discussing ways to ensure the strengthening of the existing mechanism to maintain peace and tranquillity at the border.
This is for the first time in many years that troops were injured in a confrontation while guarding the 3,488 km Line of Actual control between China and India.
The 135 km-long glacial-melt lake, straddles both countries. Two-thirds of the lake is in Chinese control while the rest is with India. Both nations routinely patrol its respective territories.
The adjoining areas on the banks are guarded by the land patrols. On the northern bank of the lake, there are spurs of the mountain that are military termed as fingers.
On a west-to-east axis, India claims territory till Finger 8 but is in physical control till Finger 4. The aerial distance between the two Fingers is about 15 km. The land north of these mountains is disputed.
Sources said the stone-throwing incident occurred when land-based patrols of both sides came face to face north of the picturesque lake in Ladakh.
It is an area claimed by both countries and is one of the spots where the two countries fought pitched battles during the 1962 war.
The stand-off on the Independence Day lasted for two hours in which no arms were used. The situation was brought under control after a standard drill that sees both sides holding up banners claiming their rights over the disputed area before stepping back to their respective positions.
Troops from Indian Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police patrol the lake and the adjoining areas.