In a surprise visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Ladakh to take stock of the situation on the ground amid rising tensions with China.
On Friday morning, Prime Minister reached Ladakh with the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane. The Prime Minister is expected to assess the situation along the border. Northern Army Commanders Lt. Gen YK Joshi and Lt. Gen Harinder Singh and 14 other corps are likely to accompany the Prime Minister.
According to the news agency ANI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at one of the forward locations in the Limu region of Ladakh. He is reportedly interacting with Army Personnel, Air Force, and ITBP. This is one of the toughest terrains as it is located at 11,000 feet and is surrounded by Zanskar range along the banks of the Indus.
This comes after 20 army personnel lost their lives in a violent face-off with the Chinese army. Even as India is looking to disengage the situation, the Chinese have continued to intensify the situation with their provocation. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit Ladakh today to review the preparedness of the military.
India Prepares For Provocation
In his Mann Ki Baat address of 28th June, Prime Minister Modi had spoken about the sacrifice of the soldiers. He also said India knows how to maintain friendship and also to confront someone and give a befitting response. He said,
“Those who eyed Indian territory in Ladakh have received a befitting response. Our brave soldiers made it clear that they will not allow anyone to taint the honor of Mother India.”
In what is being called the deadliest escalation with the Chinese forces in 45 years, a violent face-off between the Indian and the Chinese forces have resulted in 20 casualties on the Indian side and an estimated 43 on the Chinese side.
Among the 20 Indian Amry personnel who lost their lives on Monday was the Commanding officer of an infantry battalion of the Indian Army. Although the two troops engaged in tension along the border for a few weeks now, the incident on June 15th comes as an unprecedented development.
Source: Business Today
