China used ‘unorthodox weapons’ to change status quo at LAC, says MoD

The People Liberation Army (PLA) of China used “unorthodox weapons”, besides “amassing large number of troops”, to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, said the Defence Ministry in its yearend review. The review also accuses the Chinese forces of making unilateral and provocative actions to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the LAC.

“Indian Army has maintained all protocols and Agreements between the two countries while the PLA escalated the situation by utilisation of unorthodox weapons and amassing large number of troops,” the ministry said.

The yearend review stated that Indian Army with assistance from the Air Force, mobilised troops in a very short duration including heavy equipment like guns, tanks as also ammunition, rations and clothing.

“Our engineers constructed roads, accommodation shelters and bridges to assist troop deployment,” said the ministry adding that in a major skirmish in Galwan, 20 brave Indian soldiers lost their lives while preventing PLA troops from ingressing into our territory.

The Chinese also suffered significant casualties, the review said.

Later on 28-29 August 2020, Indian troops in a precautionary deployment, pre-empted Chinese expansionist designs and occupied heights along the southern bank of Pangong Tso. “Braving inclement weather, own troops continue to be deployed on these heights,” news agency IANS quoted the review pointed as saying.

Advance Winter Stocking (AWS) and winter preparations for the enhanced strength has been completed and troops are well entrenched to counter any misadventure by Chinese forces.

The ministry in its review also said that India categorically conveyed China that any attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo at the border is unacceptable and that India is determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also stated that to make the Indian Army future-ready, budgetary constraints for capability development and meeting other requirements have been removed.

India and China are engaged in a nine-month-long standoff at the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Despite several levels of dialogue, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues.

The eighth round of military talks between both the countries happened on 6 November and there was no breakthrough. WITH IANS INPUTS