ITBP and Army deployment stepped up along Uttarakhand borders

By Darshan Kunwar

Dehradun, June 24 (HS) Deployment of Indian Army and ITBP was stepped up on Wednesday along Uttarakhand’s three strategically significant India -China borders near Barahoti in Chamoli district, Neelang- Kopang,130 km from Uttarkashi, and India-China-Nepal tri-junction in Pithoragarh district, following reports that China has increased its build up on the other side.

ITBP officials said contingents of Indian troops were increased along these three International borders in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions, keeping in view China’s preparedness on the other side of the border. “It is always better to be fully prepared to face any eventuality”, said a senior ITBP officer at the high altitude Harshil in Uttarkashi district.

According to reports, the Indian Air Force has also activated an advanced landing ground in Uttarkashi’s Chinyalisaur airbase to provide necessary equipment to forward locations in Uttarakhand.

Over the last few weeks, the Chinese army has been sending its choppers regularly to Barahoti on the Indo-China border in Chamoli district. The Chinese also built a major military base 30 km from the last Indian town  Mana in Chamoli district. There were reports of violation of airspace by Chines troops from along that side of the border apart from their entry into this side of Barahoti Indian territory at least 10 times between 2014 to 2018. Reports dubbed it as cases of incursion along the border transgressions

The situation on the border continues to remain grim. The joint secretary-level working mechanism coordination committee will now take the military dialogue further with the Indian side using maps, charts and old treaties to make the China counterpart understand how the People’s Liberation Army claim on the border is wrong and why the status quo ante must be restored for a strong bilateral relationship.

According a senior official,“ until and unless PLA agrees to withdraw and restore status quo ante, it  will be just an obfuscation exercise,”.

It is quite evident from the tenor of the dialogue that both sides are holding positions on patrolling points 14, 15, 17 and Pangong Tso, waiting for the other side to blink first. “It is a long haul, a battle of nerves. One has to be prepared for all contingencies and at no time lower the guard,” said an official.