Official Document Admitting Chinese Intrusion Along Ladakh LAC Vanishes From Defence Ministry Website

The Defence Ministry also pointed out that the Chinese aggression has been increasing along the Line of Actual Control and more particularly in Galwan Valley since May 5, 2020.

Indian Army trucks move towards Ladakh amid LAC border tension, at Manali-Leh highway. (File Photo/ PTI)

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently acknowledged that the Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region has been increasing and the stand-off between the two countries is most likely to be prolonged. The Defence Ministry stated the above-mentioned point in a status report on border tension in Eastern Ladakh. ALSO READ | 'China Has No Locus Standi On Kashmir': India Gives Befitting Response To Beijing's Remark On J&K The ministry had put out an update on Chinese aggression on Line of Actual Control on its official website on August 4. However, two days after it was put up on the Ministry of Defence website, the page is now missing! The report stated that the situation in Eastern Ladakh arising from "unilateral aggression by China continues to be sensitive and requiring close monitoring and prompt action based on evolving situation." The ministry said this in the document under the title "Chinese Aggression on LAC", in the "What's New" section on its website. The Defence Ministry also pointed out that the Chinese aggression has been increasing along the Line of Actual Control and more particularly in Galwan Valley since May 5, 2020. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) transgressed in the areas of Kugrang Nala, Gogra and north bank of Pangong Tso lake on May 17 and May 18. "Consequent to this, ground level interactions were held between armed forces of both sides to defuse the situation. Corps Commander Level Flag Meeting was held on June 6. 2020. However, a violent face-off incident took place between the two sides on June 15, 2O2O resulting in casualties of both sides," the ministry said in its official report. It also pointed out that subsequently second Corps Commander Level Meeting took place on June 22, 2020 to discuss modalities of de-escalation process. "While engagement and dialogue at military and diplomatic level is continuing to arrive at mutually acceptable consensus the present stand-off is likely to be prolonged," the report stated. The report ended with saying that "prompt action based on evolving situation" should be taken. As per reports, the third meeting between officials of Indian Army and PLA took place on June 30 and it went on for around 12 hours. During the meeting, all contentious areas of stand-off were discussed to stabilise the situation. China had agreed to move back in Pangong Tso but did not. India claims Line of Actual Control at Finger 8 and Chinese are sitting between Finger 4 and Finger 5. Similar, differences exist in Depsang and Demchok patrolling areas in Ladakh. Twenty Indian army personnel were killed during the clashes with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15. The Chinese side also suffered casualties in the clashes but it is yet to give out details. As per a US intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35.