India faces stand-off in Ladakh with China, worst border tension since Kargil in 1999

Tensions develop between Indian and Chinese forces along the border in eastern Ladakh continue to fester with both sides bolstering their troop deployment resulting in a standoff in at least three locations.

According to media reports, China has beefed up its security on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by locating an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 troops near the Pangong Lake.

News agency ANI reposts that Chinese troops have moved in “nearly 10-15 km from the Indian post-KM 120” in the Galwan Valley, and have pitched tents and stationed themselves close to the post. Post-KM 120 lies on the strategic Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road whose inauguration last year caused much discomfort to China.

The Chinese army has diverted about 5,000 troops, carrying out a massive exercise towards various points of the Line of Actual Control on its side.

The border in Ladakh has been tense since earlier this month, the tensions have precipitated due to Chinese objections to Indian construction activity within Indian territory. And the two sides have also been challenging each other’s patrols reportedly on a daily basis.

The first scuffle was reported on May 5 along the Pangong Lake (two-thirds of which is controlled by China), furthermore three standoff points have reportedly emerged in eastern Ladakh amid Chinese attempts to stake claim over them. 

As per Indian media reports, India has decided to stay “dug in” and conduct “mirror deployment” as China brings in a large number of Border Defence Regiment (BDR) troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to force the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to stop infrastructure-development activities.

Sources also claim that China has not only moved in additional troops but also brought in more boats into the lake and vehicles on the road last week.