In a major development in Ladakh, the armies of the two countries, in face-off since May 5 this year, have now decided to disengage and move back to their respective positions and maintain the status quo as on April-May timeframe.
The development comes after the 8th Corps Commander-level talks between the generals of two countries, which were held on November 6 in Chushul. Nevertheless, an additional talk will happen in the coming days to further discuss the disenegament.
As per ANI, the plan laid down highlights a three-phased process in the coming week. In the first phase, armoured vehicles, including tanks and armoured personnel carriers will be moved back from either side of the Line of Actual Control.
In the second phase, as per NDTV, the armies of the two countries will pull back 30% of troops every day for three days, out of the northern bank on the Pangong Lake. This means that the Indian Army would be back at its administrative Dhan Singh Thapa post while the Chinese had consented to go back to their position east of Finger 8.
Before, the standoff, the Indian Army used to patrol till finger point 8.
In the last and third phase, the two sides were to withdraw from their respective positions from the frontline along the southern bank of the Pangong Lake area, which includes the heights and territories around Chushul and the Rezang La area.
The progress in disengagement would be tracked through delegation meetings and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
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However, the Indian side is practicing caution owing to the trust deficit between two countries that have spiked, especially after the Galwan Valley clash in June.
Feature image: Times Now
