Chinese troops enter Ladakh every 14 days

NEW DELHI: Chinese troops have been making incursions in Chumar, Rakhi Nullah and Takdip areas in Ladakh almost every fortnight in the past few months, according to security sources. Apart from incursions in Depsang plains of Chumar on December 19-20 and the more recent incursion in the first week of January in Takdip, Chinese incursions had been spotted on December 13 as well in the same areas. 

Sources said the Chinese troops are merely asserting dominance in the area and don't stay for more than an hour because of the bitter cold. Sources said there is nothing alarming in the movements even though incursions have been more frequent in recent months. 

The fact that Chinese side has fully developed road network in these sectors helps them to make frequent visits using vehicles. 

In the first week of January, Chinese troops entered Takdip area of Chumar sector early in the morning and went back only after Indian forces asserted their presence in the area. Troops had made two similar incursions in the Depsang plains on December 13 and December 19 that led to face-offs with troops of Indo-Tibetan Border Police ( ITBP). 

"In the past few months, they have been making cross-border patrols almost every fortnight. They drive their vehicles to the area, stay out for about an hour and then go back after Indian troops march. The bitter cold has prevented them from pitching tents in the area. It's nothing alarming and is in keeping with the tradition of Chinese troop movement in the area," said an officer from the security establishment. 

An escalation of border tensions was seen during April-May last year when a 21-day face-off between Chinese and Indian troops in the same sector had to be resolved through hectic diplomatic negotiations. 

Sources said the tension had been aggravated and went past traditional intensities because of a few structures erected by the Indian Army in disputed parts of the border which was not agreeable to China. The resolution of tension took place only after these structures were dismantled. 

India recently signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement with China to ease such border tensions which are often attributed to overzealous field commanders.