China increases number of troops, weaponry along LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand: Report
China has significantly ramped up its military presence in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley.
China ramps up military presence in friction points in Ladakh | Photo Credit: IANS
Srinagar: Even as New Delhi and Beijing are engaged in military and diplomatic talks to ease the tensions at Line of Actual Control, China has significantly ramped up its military presence in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley and several points in eastern Ladakh, a report has said. The Indian Army and Chinese troops are engaged in a standoff in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh.
The report of an increase in the military build-up by China along the Line of Actual Control came as India and China held diplomatic-level talks on Wednesday to defuse the tensions, which have been soaring high after the deadly clashes at Galwan Valley on June 15. Indian Army lost 20 soldiers after Chinese People's Liberation Army troops carried out a ‘premeditated’ attack on the Armymen at the Galwan in eastern Ladakh.
According to news agency PTI, a significant number of Chinese troops have been deployed in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley and friction points in eastern Ladakh. Even after India’s stiff resistance, ‘Chinese troops have again put up some structure around patrolling point 14 in the area’.
In an alarming situation, the news agency reported that PLA has increased its troops and weaponry along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand.
To ease the tension along the Line of Actual Control in the eastern Ladakh region after the armies of the two countries clashed on June 15, talks were held between Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs Naveen Srivastava and Director General in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao on Wednesday.
"In this regard, it was emphasised that both sides should strictly respect and observe the line of actual control," the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Interestingly, while reports are emerging that Beijing continues to enhance troop deployment in the friction areas, the Chinese foreign ministry said the two countries held "candid and in-depth" talks.
"The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the recent china-India border situation and expressed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the foreign ministers of the two countries during their phone call on June 17," a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
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In an attempt to end the bitter standoff at the LAC, senior military commanders of the two armies, Commander of the 14 Corps, Lt Gen Harinder Singh and Commander of the Tibet Military District Maj Gen Liu Lin held a nearly 11-hour marathon meeting on June 22.
During the military level talks, a source told PTI that "There was a mutual consensus to disengage. Modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both the sides."
Not taking any chances, the Indian Army has also enhanced deployment at Hot Springs, Demchok, Koyul, Fukche, Depsang, Murgo, and Galwan.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also on alert and has deployed frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jets, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar fighter aircraft, Apache attack helicopters and CH-47 Chinook helicopters at the bases close to the border areas. The IAF jets have been regularly carrying out sorties in the Leh area.