Border patrols of the Indian Army and Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had an eyeball-to-eyeball faceoff in the sensitive Chumar sector of south-eastern Ladakh on July 16 and the Chinese troops, mounted on horseback, went back only to return again the next day on July 17.
Defence sources described the incident as a “friendly faceoff” and said both sides “disengaged peacefully” after the Chinese transgression. Both sides also conducted “flag drills” with each side telling the other that it was their territory and that other border patrol should return. However, it was unclear whether the Indian Army has requested for any fresh flag meeting to discuss the incident with the Chinese.
Both countries have different perceptions of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the two sides patrol upto their respective perception of the LAC. Nevertheless, the fresh Chinese transgression into Indian territory betrays the acute anxiety and nervousness that has gripped the Chinese in the Chumar sector.
It may be recalled that on June 17 this year, transgressing Chinese troops took away an Indian Army surveillance camera, only to return it on July 3 after the Indian side protested.
The Chinese are very sensitive about the Chumar sector since the Indian defences are very close to the LAC and Indian troops are positioned better to reach the LAC in that sector compared to the Chinese troops.
China is extremely nervous that Indian troops are in a better position to keep an eye on vital Chinese border infrastructure in that sector on the Chinese side.
The fresh Chinese transgression occurred at about the time the Indian Government approved the formation of an Indian Army mountain strike corps in India’s eastern sector bordering China ——- which will for the first time give the Indian Army offensive capabilities vis-à-vis China.
The new mountain strike corps could involve raising of at least an additional 50,000 troops that will give the Indian Army the extra infantry manpower needed for effective mountain warfare.
India has recently already raised two new mountain divisions comprising a total of about 30,000 troops in the eastern sector.