M A I N   N E W S

India, China agree to keep distance in Ladakh
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

Chinese Army-backed civilians at Demchok in Ladakh.

New Delhi, September 18
Indian and Chinese troops, locked in a face-off at Chumar, South Eastern Ladakh, are holding onto their respective positions but agreed late last night to maintain a minimum distance.

Gun-toting troops on either side face each other at an altitude of 14,600 feet. Despite agreeing to maintain a minimum distance, the stand-off continues and the Indian side assesses that a breakthrough was possible over the next 2-3 days. The next flag meeting, which is possible over the next 48 hours, will be crucial. The level of officers may go up to Major General. Till now, Brigadier-level officers have tried to resolve the issue, first on Monday then over two marathon meetings yesterday.

Sources said the agreement to increase the distance between the troops of either side was arrived at last night even as both countries ramped up forces since last evening in a show of strength at two locations in Chumar and other one at Demchok, 70 km east of Chumar. The two armies have used loudspeakers to communicate to each other, asking the either side to stop.

Last night, a flag meeting between Brigadier-level officers agreed to the issue of having a minimum distance between troops of either side, one at a mountain pass named point 'R-30' and another location 2 km away from this spot. Troops of either side are well armed with guns and mountain clothing as temperature falls to minus 3 degrees Celsius at night.

Chinese troops start withdrawing