In a major flare-up in Ladakh, Chinese troops “carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo” but Indian soldiers preempted this activity and thwarted them, the government said today.
The incidents took place overnight between August 29 and 30, according to a defence ministry statement.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops “violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo,” said the statement.
“Indian troops preempted this PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground,” it said.
The statement asserted that the army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, “but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity”.
A Brigade Commander level flag meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues, the government says.