India China Border News: After Eastern Ladakh- China’s infiltration in Uttarakhand- Amidst the escalation in eastern Ladakh, China has done a provocative act in the Barahoti area of Uttarakhand. More than 100 soldiers of the Chinese army crossed the border and entered India and destroyed many infrastructures. Officials familiar with the situation said that a bridge was also damaged by Chinese troops before retreating from there. China’s incursion into this area of Uttarakhand has raised alarm bells amid positive progress on the withdrawal of troops in eastern Ladakh.
In the Barahoti area, there has been infiltration from the Chinese side in the past. In September 2018 also there were reports that Chinese soldiers infiltrated here 3 times. In 1954, this was the first area where Chinese soldiers had infiltrated and later there was an attempt to capture other areas and then the 1962 war was fought.
The incident which took place on August 30 did not lead to a face-off as the PLA soldiers had returned by the time they faced the Indian soldiers. Security sources told ET that 55 horses and over 100 soldiers had entered Indian territory more than 5 km after crossing the Tun Jun La pass.
In the last few years, there have been only minor incidents of infiltration from the PLA side in this area. The last time it happened was in July after this New Delhi’s concerns had increased. Tension with China already persists in eastern Ladakh. Government officials have confirmed that Chinese soldiers, accompanied by army horses, crossed the Tun Jun La pass to a pasture near Barahoti.
It is believed that this group of Chinese soldiers stayed for about three hours. Since this area is a demilitarized zone (where there are no soldiers), the presence of such a large number of PLA soldiers is a matter of concern for the security establishments. Sources said that the local people were informed about this infiltration, after which the ITBP and Army team immediately reached there to confirm it. However, before the arrival of the Indian patrol, the Chinese soldiers had left the area and returned.
Barahoti Peak is located to the north of Nanda Devi National Park and soldiers walk on that side from the last point reached by car. This peak is connected to Joshimath, where the Indian Army and ITBP camps remain on alert mode to thwart any major Chinese operation. ITBP monitors about 350 km long border in Uttarakhand, which is part of LAC.
A Home Ministry official said that there is a difference in perception between India and China on the LAC, due to which such incidents often take place. When contacted, an ITBP spokesperson declined to comment. Officials have admitted that the activities of PLA troops in the area have increased in the last few months. Another official said, “Earlier also several infiltration attempts have been made by the PLA in Barahoti area. Additional troops have now been deployed in the central sector.
Intelligence agencies have given inputs of Chinese activity at the airbase near Barahoti. There is also news that after the border conflict in Ladakh last year, the PLA has increased its presence on the LAC. In such a situation, it becomes difficult to trust China.
