Indian Army to Resume Patrolling in Depsang After Disengagement
The Indian Army is set to resume patrolling in the Depsang plains along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, following coordinated efforts at Demchok, according to Army sources.
This development follows the recent completion of a mutual disengagement process at these points, restoring troop positions and infrastructure to pre-April 2020 levels after a prolonged four-year standoff in the Galwan Valley.
Steps to Maintain Peace Along the LAC
To foster goodwill, both Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets at several border meeting points in Ladakh on Deepawali, including Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, Kongka La, and Chushul-Moldo. Additionally, local commanders from the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) convened on Wednesday to establish protocols for coordinated patrolling in Demchok and Depsang, aiming to prevent future confrontations.
“Patrolling has begun at Demchok,” an Army source reported, indicating that similar activities are anticipated in Depsang soon.
Disengagement Verification Process Underway
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed on Thursday that the disengagement process, which includes dismantling temporary arrangements such as tents and tin sheds, is “almost complete.” Indian Army sources noted that both armies are verifying the withdrawal of troops and makeshift facilities to pre-standoff positions near the LAC.
The LAC delineates territories between Chinese and Indian-controlled regions, extending from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. While this recent disengagement is a positive step, additional border matters across regions, including the Yangtse area in Arunachal Pradesh, remain under negotiation.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing to address buffer zones or no-patrolling zones established after previous disengagements at Hot Springs, Gogra Post, Galwan Valley, and Pangong Tso, which continue to affect patrolling dynamics along the LAC.
