China raid alert at 20 spots from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh- likely to witness border incursions and transgressions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army

ITBP official cites difference in perception of LAC for a probable dispute

Indian army trucks depart towards Ladakh amid stand off between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, at Manali-Leh highway in Kullu district : PTI File picture

Imran Ahmed Siddiqui   |   TT   |   New Delhi   |   23.12.20  :  The Indian Army has identified as many as 20 sensitive spots from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) which are likely to witness border incursions and transgressions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army once the winter is over and the snow melts, sources in the security establishment said.

“With the LAC becoming the new LoC, the army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are sending reinforcements to these 20 spots in the wake of intelligence inputs that the PLA is planning fresh incursions,” said a security official attached to the Intelligence Bureau.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a face-off at multiple points in Ladakh — the Depsang Plains, the Pangong Lake and Hot Springs — since May and eight rounds of military talks have failed to break the deadlock. The PLA has altered the unmarked LAC at these friction points and is estimated to have taken over close to 1,000sqkm of India-claimed territory.

“Considering the ground situation and palpable tension along the LAC, the Indian Army does not want to further lose territory to the PLA. Intelligence reports have suggested that the Chinese troops are planning incursions at the 20 sensitive spots inside India-claimed lines once the winter is over,” said the security official. “Both the army and the ITBP are building new border posts and are also planning to bolster operational and infrastructure capabilities at these 20 spots along the LAC to prevent any such incursion,” the official added.

Some of these sensitive spots had witnessed border incursions by the PLA in the past. An ITBP official said that in the wake of the ongoing impasse between the two sides, disputes at these 20 spots were likely to arise because of differences in perception of the LAC.

“Both sides often accuse each other of transgression and intrusion but such incidents come down drastically during winter in the snow-covered Himalayan region. The latest intelligence report has hinted at possible Chinese incursion and transgression at these 20 spots, which is alarming. The army is deliberating key strategic deployment to fortify our positions,” the ITBP official said.