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Monday 6 May 2013

LADAKH INCURSIONS-INDIAN ARMY FUMING

The developing border face-off with China in Ladakh's Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector has left the Army fuming and out in the cold.

The DBO sector comes under operational control of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and with a diplomatic solution to the face-off being given top priority, the Army remains cut out from the worsening situation.
Chinese troops have put up another tent in the DBO sector of Ladakh after their first incursion into the area a fortnight ago. The additional tent raises to five the number of temporary Chinese structures in the area that India claims as its territory.

Response
Chinese troops are also reported to have deployed Molosser dogs - large mastifftype canines - at the site of incursion, 70 km south of Burtse in Ladakh division.

Seething Indian Army sources told Mail Today that they have been arguing vehemently for a One Border One Force plan for some time.

The top sources said: "The Army would like to deal with all disputed borders. At the moment, there is a face-to-face situation which involves troops.

An expeditious response is mandatory because the perception of the Chinese may well be that DBO where they are stationed 19 km inside Indian territory is the Line of Actual Control, which is a dangerous trend."

Sensitive

India has a 4,000-km border with the Chinese and this specific sector comes under Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The China Study Group comprising the secretaries of defence, home and foreign secretaries, has met several times on this issue.

The Group's present thinking is predicated on the Ministry of External Affairs running with the ball on this extremely sensitive issue. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid scheduled to visit Beijing early in May, which will be followed by a visit of the new Chinese premier Li Keqiang.

Taking a call

Army sources added that after the Kargil conflict, the government would take a call on whether all border security management would vest with the Indian Army. That hasn't happened for 14 years, they said, adding that the Army wants this issue resolved.

At ground zero, a banner hoisted outside the Chinese camp says in English: You are on the Chinese side. People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel maintain a round-the-clock vigil along with their dogs which are considered as the best for keeping a watch in these highaltitude areas, official sources added. The officers are armed with Chinese Makarovs, and the soldiers bear Kalashnikov variants.

Other reports say the additional tent has come up after three failed flag meetings between Indian and Chinese Armies at Chushul. The report said aggressive ITBP patrolling had managed to push back intruding Chinese troops back by at least nine km before they settled down at the present location which is nearly 19 km inside Indian territory in the DBO Sector.

Failed meet


According to a report submitted to the home and defence ministries, the incursion was detected by the ITBP on the intervening night of April 15 and 16.

The ITBP sent a Quick Reaction Team which not only prevented the PLA personnel from further progressing in the area but also pushed them back across the Raki Nala.

The face-off has since continued even as ITBP jawans have been joined by the Ladakh Scouts, an infantry regiment of the army

Read more at:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chinese-intrusion-indian-army-line-of-actual-control-chinese-troops-daulat-beg-oldi-sector-dbo-sector-indo-tibetan-border-police/1/268401.html

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