Army Chief draws strategy to check China at LAC

Jammu Tawi, June 15: Indian Army Chief Gen. MM Naravane concluded his visit of Ladakh on Thursday after having made all the strategic calculations to meet any eventuality as the Indo-China standoff positions have made the situation fragile and fluid on the borders in eastern Ladakh.

In fact, after assessing the situation on the ground and drawing strategies to counter any eventuality that may arise because of the continuing standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, the Army chief has drawn a roadmap to maintain Indian position on the LAC, and also to ensure that no violent clashes and casualties occur in the sector that has turned hyper-sensitive in the military terminology.

The situation had deteriorated after the June 15 Galwan Valley clashes in which India lost 20 soldiers, while Chinese stayed quiet about their casualties.

It was a significant visit for the first time ever since he took over, a firsthand review of situation vis-à-vis Chinese aggressions was taken on the ground where exact stand-off and its strategic ramifications were unfolding for the region.

These face-offs have been measured by the international community as “serious” and the calls for de-escalation have peaked.

Gen. Naravane , who was scheduled to conclude his two-day visit on Wednesday, extended it by a day to  further review the situation as a downpour of reports of fresh intrusions by Chinese troops in Despang, Pangong Tso and diversion of waters of Galwan river started.

The emerging situation called for a further detailed review of the situation and to work out plans to meet eventualities that made Gen. Naravane to extend the visit and draw the new strategies along with his commanders.

The meetings were held at 14 Corps headquarters in Leh continuously for three consecutive days, beginning from the first day of his visit on Monday.

The Northern Command chief Lt. Gen. YK Joshi and  14 Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Harinder Singh whose troops look after the boundaries in the whole of Ladakh sector, were  part of these strategic meetings.

Gen. Harinder Singh, who had led the Indian side twice in military-level talks  with his Chinese  counterpart Major General Liu Lin in Chushul-Moldo area  along  the Line of Actual Control, briefed the Army chief about the nature of the dialogue and the body language and the moves that Chinese made during the  talks that lasted for hours together.