Army Chief MM Naravane Arrives On A 2-Day Visit To Ladakh As Situation Remains Grim In Pangong Tso Region

Army Chief will be briefed by senior field commanders on the ground situation at three strategic heights in the southern bank of Pangong Lake area in eastern Ladakh.

(File Photo/ ANI)

Leh: Amid the ongoing standoff between India and China along the Ladakh Line of Actual Control (LAC), Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane reached here on Thursday morning to review the ongoing security situation. He is on a two-day visit to the region. According to reports, the Army Chief will be briefed by senior field commanders on the ground situation at three strategic heights in the southern bank of Pangong Lake area in eastern Ladakh. Indian Army has further bolstered its presence in at least three strategic heights in the southern bank of Pangong lake region, days after foiling China's "provocative" actions to change the status quo in the area, government sources said on Wednesday. As per reports, some 'readjustments' in deployment of troops were also carried out on the northern bank of the Pangong lake on the Indian side of the LAC as part of precautionary measures. The situation in the area was said to be sensitive. It was reported that another round of military talks between the two sides on Wednesday to defuse tensions in the area remained inconclusive. The talks lasted nearly seven hours. Meanwhile, India has achieved tactical gains in eastern Ladakh in the last few days by occupying a number of strategically important hill tops and locations. Tension escalated in the Pangong lake area after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy certain areas in the southern bank of Pangong lake following which India rushed in additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region. On Monday, the Indian Army said the Chinese military carried out "provocative military movements" to "unilaterally" change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong lake on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 but the attempt was thwarted by the Indian troops. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on Tuesday said the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) was engaged in "provocative action" again a day earlier when the ground commanders of the two sides were holding talks to ease the situation. (This is a breaking story. Further details are awaited.)