Another round of talks likely on further de-escalation
*AOC briefs LG Ladakh on host of issues
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 15: Top Army Commanders met in Leh today to discuss preparedness of the troops in Eastern Ladakh on the occasion of third anniversary of clashes between Sino-Indian troops at Galwan even as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Air Vice Marshal Praveen Keshav Vohra called on Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra and discussed with him a host of issues.
Northern Command chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Rashim Bali and One Strike Corps Commander Lt Gen Sanjay Mitra along with Commanders of other formations met in Leh to discuss prevailing situation in Eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
The meeting was held on the third anniversary of the Galwan Valley clash in which India lost 20 troops while causing heavy damage and casualties to the Chinese Army.
Sources said the senior Army Commanders discussed preparedness of the troops for any future conflict, situation during last three years of Sino-Indian standoff including in the areas where troops of the two countries are standing in eyeball-to-eyeball position and where de-escalation has taken place following talks at the level of Army Commanders of the two sides.
As per the sources, another round of talks between Army Commanders of India and China could also be held shortly to discuss further de-escalation from some areas on the LAC.
The Northern Army Command is in charge of the Ladakh sector and has been provided with a new formation in the form of the One Strike Corps headquartered in Mathura which has its elements spread across the Northern parts of the country.
The reorganisation of the Army was done by the Government and forces after the Chinese aggression of April-May 2020 along the Eastern Ladakh sector.
Sources said it was observed that the Indian Army has been holding its positions very well along entire LAC in Eastern Ladakh. Morale of the troops is also very high. Infrastructure has been developed to a good extent on Indian side of the LAC now.
Meanwhile, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Air Vice Marshal Praveen Keshav Vohra met Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra in Leh and briefed him on the situation.
They also discussed Indian Air Force (IAF) services for civilians, rescue operations carried out by the IAF in the past and other potential services which the IAF can extend to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Brig Mishra emphasised the need to plan the operation of IAF flights in Ladakh during winter in advance to avoid any confusion and inconvenience to the officials as well as passengers travelling to Leh, Kargil or Thoise.
Major General Yash Ahlawat, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 25 Infantry Division also called on Brig Mishra. They discussed various defence issues of national interest.
It may be mentioned here that more than 50,000 troops of the Chinese military have been deployed along the LAC opposite Eastern Ladakh since 2020.
India has also deployed multiple new formations in the area to prevent any possible future aggression by the Chinese. The infrastructure development in the area has also been expedited and the world’s highest motorable road has been built in eastern Ladakh at the Umling La Pass.
The road has helped in promoting connectivity to the forward locations where Indian and Chinese troops have been deployed opposite each other for the last three years now.
The militaries of the two countries have held 18 rounds of high-level talks so far with an objective of taking forward the disengagement process in the remaining friction points and restoring peace and tranquillity along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
The 18th round of high-level military talks between the two sides were held on April 23 during which they agreed to stay in close touch and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in Eastern Ladakh at the earliest.
The two sides completed disengagement in several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
The Eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.
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