Showdown in Ladakh

25 May, 2020

There has been no detention of Indian soldiers at borders. It hurts national interests when media outlets publish unsubstantiated news. (Army spokesperson)

New Delhi AFTER calling reports of detention of Indian troops by Chinese “inaccurate” on Saturday evening, the Indian Army has issued a formal denial on the issue amid tensions simmering in Ladakh at four places at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“There has been no detention of Indian soldiers at the borders. We categorically deny this. It only hurts national interests when media outlets publish unsubstantiated news,” an Indian Army spokesperson said.

This comes after it was reported that Indian troops were held back briefly with weapons seized by the Chinese in Pangong Tso, a lake in the eastern Ladakh region at the LAC where a scuffle took place on May 5 and 6.

The area has been tense since then with China enhancing its patrol boats in the lake that is under dispute. There are three other spots — Trig Heights, Demchok and Chumar — where the Chinese have done a troop build up, pitched tents, brought in vehicles and machinery to enhance their fortifications across the Galwan Valley in the Akshai Chin region.

There has been a troop build up on both sides and there are 3-4 places where the situation has been tense since May 5.

While the disengagement took place in eastern Ladakh after troops came to blows on May 5 and were involved in a faceoff till the morning of May 6 when troops from both sides clashed leaving several injured.

Army Chief General MM Naravane visited Leh amid the growing tension in Ladakh after confrontations between India and China.

Courtesy: Mail Today