India China Face Off: China withdraws troops from Ladakh's Galwan Valley

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: July 7, 2020 05:41 PM2020-07-07T17:41:56+5:302020-07-07T17:42:24+5:30

In the first signs of de-escalation of the conflict along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, the People's ...

India China Face Off: China withdraws troops from Ladakh's Galwan Valley | India China Face Off: China withdraws troops from Ladakh's Galwan Valley

India China Face Off: China withdraws troops from Ladakh's Galwan Valley

In the first signs of de-escalation of the conflict along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was seen removing tents and moving back troops from some parts of the Galwan Valley. The PLA started removing tents and structures at Patrolling Point 14 after an agreement between the corps commanders on both sides. Similar movement was also seen at the Gogra Hot Spring area. With the Indian forces also retreating, a buffer zone equidistant from both the sides of the LAC has been created.

Even though troops and tents were moved back by one or two kilometres at some friction points, Chinese heavy armoured vehicles are still present in some areas along the Galwan river. It was along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh that violent clashes between India and China’s armies on 15 June led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. The Chinese side did not release details of casualties suffered. Recent satellite images had indicated that the Chinese had illegally trespassed 423 metres into Indian territory in the Galwan Valley, with a significant consolidation in Ladakh's Pangong Lake region, according to NDTV. 

The bitter stand-off between both the sides over their claim on multiple locations along the LAC in eastern Ladakh showed no signs of abatement for seven weeks despite several rounds of diplomatic and military talks. It may be mentioned here that both Indian and Chinese commanders met for the third round of talks after the Galwan valley clash on Wednesday, July 1. The talks focused on reducing tension at the Line of Actual Control after weeks of a face-off including physical fights in early May.

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