Defence Ministry: China behind LAC skirmish

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 4

The Ministry of Defence has squarely blamed China for the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh saying the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) used ‘unorthodox’ weapons and amassed a large number of troops there. It said India was well entrenched to counter any misadventure by the Chinese forces. “The Indian Army is prepared for any eventuality and talks are also progressing to resolve the issue in an amicable manner,” says the year-end review of the MoD on the working of the forces and the ministry.

Apportioning blame to the PLA, the MoD says, “The Indian Army has maintained all protocols and agreements between the two countries, while the PLA escalated the situation by the utilisation of unorthodox weapons and amassing a large number of troops.” “There were unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the LAC. These were responded to in a firm and non-escalatory way, ensuring the sanctity of our claims in Eastern Ladakh,” said the MoD.

Probably for the first time bringing on record on what kind of weapons have been deployed, the MoD said, “The Indian Army, with assistance from the IAF, mobilised troops, including accretionary forces, heavy equipment like guns, tanks as also ammunition, ration and clothing, in a very short duration.”

‘Terrorist strength in valley below 200’

• The MoD says residual terrorist strength in Kashmir is below 200, dealing a serious blow to the nefarious designs of Pakistan to fuel unrest in the Valley.
• Attempts to spread violence south of the Pir Panjal range have been comprehensively defeated by proactive operations, the ministry said.