Indian Army’s control of hilltops on south bank of Pangong Lake irks China
The Indian Army is in occupation of key hilltops on the south bank of the Pangong Lake. Irked by India’s advantageous position, China is said to have raised the issue of Indian troops fortifying their positions on these hilltops.
Indian Army’s occupation of three hilltops claimed by Chinese on the south bank of Pangong Lake is what has riled up China after People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops enhanced deployment close to India’s Thakung base and made attempts to change status quo.
While China has accused India of crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army has denied this.
Taking over these hilltops was important to keep the Chinese troops in check as they increased their deployment in areas close to ‘Black Top’ and ‘Helmet’ at LAC on the south bank of LAC threatening fresh incursions to change status quo. By holding these mountain tops, the Indian Army enjoys an advantageous position.
At the Brigade Commander-level talks between the two armies taking place over the last two days, China is said to have raised the issue of Indian troops fortifying their positions on these hilltops. At the same time, India has raised concerns about Chinese mobilisation close to the Indian base at Thakung.
Chinese embassy in India claimed that Indian troops trespassed the LAC near the southern bank of the lake in an area called Reqin Pass or Rechin La.
If India is indeed holding on to Rechin La as claimed by China, it means Indian troops are about 3 km inside the Chinese territory. Rechin La is about 2.5 to 3 km from Rezang La, which is on LAC on the Indian side.
Chinese embassy spokesperson said, “On August 31, Indian troops violated the consensus reached in previous multi-level engagements and negotiations between China and India, illegally trespassed the Line of Actual Control again at the southern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake and near the Reqin Pass in the western sector of China-India border, and conducted flagrant provocations, which again stirred tension in the border areas,”
Indian Army, meanwhile, remains tight-lipped about details of the operation launched on August 31 to take over the heights under Chinese control.
