India Thwarts China's Fresh Transgression Attempt To Change Status Quo At Pangong Lake; Army On High Alert

The troop casualties on both sides are yet to be confirmed. According to reports, a brigade commander-level flag meeting is underway at Chushul to resolve the issues.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: Soon after reports of Indian Navy deploying warship in south China sea, it is being reported that People's Liberation Army once again made some military movements to change the status quo at the Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh. The movement, however, was  thwarted by Indian Army with some casualties being reported from both the sides. The troop casualties on both sides are yet to be confirmed. According to reports, a brigade commander-level flag meeting is underway at Chushul to resolve the issues. The escalation took place in the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday at a time when both the countries are already engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the disputed border issue in Eastern Ladakh. In a statement issued, the Indian Army said that on the night of August 29 and August 30, 2020, People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo. "Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Lake, and undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground," Army said. The Indian Army also added that they are committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but are also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity. Meanwhile, it is being said that China has refused to move back from its present military position north of the Pangong Tso. India has asked China to completely withdraw troops from Pangong Tso. At Pangong Tso, China has strengthened their positions between Finger-5 and 8. The PLA has refused to pull back eastwards from the 8-km stretch it occupied from Finger-4 to Finger-8 by building scores of new fortifications there since early May. Indian and China are already engaged in around four month long standoff at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. Despite several levels of dialogue, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues. China has changed the status quo at the LAC at various places, moving inside Indian territory. India has objected to it and is taking up the matter with China at all levels. The troop disengagement has happened only at patrolling point-14 in Galwan Valley, the site of the June 15 clash, and patrolling point-15 in Hot Springs.