The Indian Security Forces (ISFs) have lost access to 26 of the 65 points that they used to regularly patrol in Eastern Ladakh. China is continuing its tactic of “salami slicing” – slowly but surely creeping closer to Indian territory – while the standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continues.
The 65 Patrol Points along the border are supposed to be patrolled regularly by the Indian Security Forces (ISFs). However, in some of these areas, the ISFs have not been present for a long time, so the Chinese have taken over. This has led to a shift in the border, with the Indian side now controlling more territory. This is called “salami slicing,” where the Chinese slowly gain more and more territory.
On 9 December, a clash happened at Tawang between the Indian and Chinese military. Leh SP P.D. Nitya presented a report about it at a meeting of Director Generals (DGs) and Inspector Generals (IGs) last week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were all in attendance.
ThePrint has a copy of the report that tells you what happened.
The PLA has placed their best cameras on the highest peaks in order to spy on our troops.
The PLA said that it doesn’t want the Indian forces to move around in the buffer zone, because that would mean that the area would be controlled by the Indians. It asked the Indians to stay in specific areas so that the buffer zone remains balanced.
The paper said that the Army has put restrictions on the movement of civilians and grazers near the forward areas on the Indian side, which means that they don’t want the PLA to object to the areas being claimed as disputed.
Starting in September 2021, senior officials from the district administration and security forces will be able to patrol the area around Karakoram Pass, located 35 km from Daulat Beg Oldie. However, starting in December 2021, Army placed restrictions on movement through the pass in order to stop any interactions between the two countries. If someone from India wants to go to the pass, they will have to get permission from the Army first.
This type of restrictive approach is believed to have a negative effect.
Since 2014, the ISFs have been imposing stricter restrictions on the movement of the Rebos, which has caused some resentment among the Rebos.
The soldiers are stationed in disguise in order to stop the movement of Rebos to the higher parts of the mountain range, which could be seen as a threat by the Chinese military. Additionally, development work in the border villages, like Demchok, Koyul, is being hindered because the PLA is quick to object to any changes.
The report says that over the years, the loss of livelihood and change in lifestyle patterns in border villages has caused many people to migrate, and this has also caused community divisions.
Since 2014, restrictions have been put on the Rebos’ grazing area by the International Security Force (ISF). This has caused some people to resent them.
The soldiers are stationed in disguise to stop the movement of Rebos, which could be a threat to the PLA and similar development work in border villages like Demchok, Koyul which are under direct electronic surveillance of the PLA.
The report says that over the years, the loss of livelihood and change in lifestyle patterns of border villages has caused migration and has also led to infighting within communities. If retreating 400 meters can buy peace, it’s worth it.
The senior police officer also said that the harsh climate, difficult terrain and remoteness of the region affect the morale and motivation of the jawans and officers on ground.
The soldiers feel like they’re wasting their time defending this area because there’s no one living here and there’s no economic activity going on. The commanders want to make sure the soldiers stay motivated and keep their morale high, so they’re giving them a countdown to when they will be leaving.
The senior officer told the SP that if they were to retreat 400 meters back, it would buy them four years of peace with the PLA.
