On June 15, during the standoff between India and China along LAC, a Chinese post, a tent-like structure, was destroyed.
According to reports that structure near Patrol Point 14 in the Galwan Valley has been brought back by the Chinese. According to Economic Times, the ‘Indian troops have physically verified the reappearance of a tent and this has been spotted in fresh satellite imagery as well’.
Both sides had exited the site after the clash in which 20 Indian soldiers led by Col Santosh Babu were killed. The Chinese tent was reportedly taken down during the skirmish. After this the two side agreed to resolve the matter through senior military and diplomatic channels.
According to the report, ‘the construction of a new tent even as talks make slow progress is bound to have a debilitating impact on efforts to disengage the troops’.
ET sources confirm that the recent satellite images show significant construction activity by the Chinese side at Patrol Point-14, ‘including new defences and a hardened shelter for troops’.
Satellite imagery from the Galwan Valley on June 22nd shows that 'disengagement' really isn't the word that the government should be using. This gif shows the small outpost that sparked the June 15th clashes. It has grown hugely in size. Indian troops aren't dismantling this one. pic.twitter.com/8Q78ftr3uW
— Nathan Ruser (@Nrg8000) June 24, 2020
The report states that at least 15 pockets of PLA troop concentration have been identified on the border between Pangong Tso and Daulat Beg Oldie. These include additional troops that were moved along the LAC following the clash at Galwan. India has countered this by stepping up deployments on its side’.
According to the report, the current deployment of Chinese troops along the LAC has crossed 10,000. The situation at Galwan Valley where India lost 20 soldiers and China lost an unspecified number is reportedly still tensed.
China has accelerated road works and seems to be creating infrastructure to house troops at Patrol Point 14, since the clash. PP14 is an area that was earlier only patrolled.
“It will be right to assume that the troops are at the highest level of alert possible in all sectors. This is also the time for routine Op Alert exercises for both sides. Therefore, there are a large number of exercising troops available to both the armies,” ET sources reportedly said.
Galwan, Pangong Tso, Depsand plains near DBO, and Gogra post are reportedly the areas of concern. The Indian army has not confirmed anything regarding the matter yet.
