Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 20: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat today reviewed situation along Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Ladakh as he reached Leh on a three-day visit while President Ram Nath Kovind will also visit Leh tomorrow to attend a function of Ladakh Scouts and Guides.
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Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Gen Rawat and other top political leadership and bureaucrats of the State would receive Kovind in Leh tomorrow morning. This is Kovind’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after taking over as the President last month.
Ram Nath Kovind will present the President’s Colours to the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre and five battalions of the Regiment tomorrow. He will also address the troops.
Sources told the Excelsior that the Army chief met top Army Commanders at 14 Corps including General Officer Commanding (GOC) Lt Gen PJS Pannu, who briefed him on the situation prevailing along LAC with China in Eastern Ladakh, where the troops of India and China had come face-to-face on August 15 on the banks of Pangong lake but the situation was defused next day after a meeting between the two sides at Border Meeting Point (BPM) of Chushul.
The Army chief was expected to hold comprehensive review of situation along un-demarcated LAC with China during the next two days with the local Army Commanders after the visit of President Ram Nath Kovind is over tomorrow afternoon.
Gen Rawat is also scheduled to visit some forward areas along the LAC with China for on spot review of the situation and deployment, sources said.
The Army has been maintaining very high alert all along LAC with China following inputs that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China could indulge in more Pangong lake like incursions in Eastern Ladakh in view of prolonged standoff between the two countries at Dokalam at trijunction of India, China and Bhutan.
The Army chief’s visit came five days after Chinese troops clashed with the Indian Army personnel near Pangong lake on August 15. The two sides had engaged in stone pelting at each other, resulting in injuries to personnel from both sides.
Subsequent video of the spot showed that the Chinese troops had come prepared but their plan was foiled by the troops and they were forced to retreat.
Sources said Army has decided to hold very high-level review of deployment along LAC with China. India was also trying to strengthen its positions all along LAC in 5 States including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, they added.
Sources said Gen Rawat will take stock of the security preparedness along the LAC with China besides discussing key operational matters with top Army Commanders during his three day visit to Leh.
The Chinese troops had managed to enter up to Finger Four area in the region from where they were sent back. This area has been a bone of contention between India and China as both claim it to be a part of their territory.
After Chinese troopers found their path blocked by ITBP personnel who formed a human chain, they began hurling stones, prompting a swift retaliation by Indian border guards.
Personnel from both sides received minor injuries and the situation was brought under control after the customary banner drill under which both sides hold banners before stepping back to their respective positions.
Two thirds of the Pangong Lake is controlled by China while one-third of it is controlled by India.
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