Pangong pullback by February 24

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 16

India and China have started the process to physically verify each other’s military positions on the Pangong Tso banks following the disengagement process that started on February 10 along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

• Also read: LAC withdrawal plan gives China the edge

“The first phase of disengagement will be a two-week process and is expected to be over between February 22 and 24,” said sources, hinting that commanders of both sides could meet any time after February 24.

The verification process is being done using permissible means like physical visits as well as drones and cameras, sources said, adding that the de-induction of troops, tanks, artillery guns, etc, was going as per schedule. The teams for verification on either side are submitting detailed reports to their respective commands.

Dismantling bunkers, helipads part of Disengagement

• Pullback verification teams submitting reports to their respective commanders
• De-induction of troops, tanks, artillery guns is going as per schedule, sources say
• Pullback includes dismantling all infra like bunkers, helipads created after April last year

They will report back once the tanks, troops, guns and all vehicles are back at their home bases. The pullback includes dismantling of all infrastructure, including bunkers, helipads, housing units and tents, created after April last year. “The land has to be brought back to the April 2020 status,” officials said.

Once the process is done, commanders of the rank of Lt General are slated to meet within 48 hours and chalk out the next phases.

The first phase of the disengagement for both sides entails withdrawing from positions on the north and south bank of the Pangong Tso, a 135-km glacial lake. The next phases will see talks for similar pullback at Depsang, Gogra and Hot Springs, all located along the 823-km LAC in eastern Ladakh. Since April 2020, there has been a massive build-up on both sides.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Rajya Sabha on February 11 about the future course on the pullback. “There are still some outstanding issues with regard to deployment and patrolling at some other points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. These will be the focus of further discussions with the Chinese side,” he said.

Along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, there are locations where troops of both sides are eyeball to eyeball.

Besides the Pangong Tso, the next phases will cover resumption of patrolling limits in areas along the LAC which are claimed by both sides. The 900-sqkm Depsang plains located north of the Shyok river will also be taken up. Located at an altitude of 16,000 feet, the Indian Army holds a large portion of the Depsang plains, while the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China holds the eastern edge of the plains.