Defying the agreed mutual consensus to disengage, Chinese troops have reportedly returned to Patrolling Post 14 on the Line of Actual Control in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. This is the same spot where a deadly clash between the Indian and Chinese troops claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers.
While satellite images of the area taken on 22 May showed a single tent at the spot, the new image shows possible defensive Chinese positions at the site, reported NDTV. The new images reportedly show shelters constructed along the rock-face leading up the LAC.
Major General Ramesh Padhi (retd) who retired as Additional Surveyor General of India told NDTV that, "The images show a clear movement of heavy vehicles which indicates that they have an intention to stay deployed in the area."
The images also reportedly show culverts constructed over the Galwan river less than a kilometre from the LAC.
NDTV reported that while the Chinese road leading up to the LAC has also been widened, there was no similar road being constructed on the Indian side opposite the Chinese position. A major highway connecting Daulat Beg Oldie in the north and durbuk in the South, just 6 km away from the location, however, has been a cause of concern for the Chinese.
After the violent standoff in Galwan valley on 15 June, both sides had reportedly vacated the spot. After multiple rounds of military level talks, including the meeting between Corps Commanders of India and China on Monday, 22 June, at Moldo, it was decided that there would be "mutual consensus to disengage". The latest reported development could impact this progress.
Camps Built on Chinese Side of LAC?
While there has been no official communication from the army or the Centre, most reports suggest that tents and other posts have been built on the Chinese side of LAC.
Lt General (retd) AL Chavan, who also served as Division Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, told The Indian Express that, “without an accurate survey and enlarged maps, ascertaining the exact alignment of the LAC as claimed by the two sides is not possible”. He, however, was clear that the development appeared to be “astride the LAC”.
Apart from Galwan, the Depsang area is another reason for concern. India and China have both reportedly increased their deployment in the Depsang plains. A two-kilometre-deep intrusion has taken place near Gogra where PLA troops are deployed, reported ET.
The Print meanwhile reported that patrolling by Indian troops to Patrol Points 11, 12 and 13 in the Depsang area had been challenged by the Chinese.
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