Leh, Sep 11 (Agency) Amid disengagement process between Indian and Chinese troops in the Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15) area, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Saturday visited Ladakh Sector and witnessed wargame ‘Parvat Prahar’.Gen Pandey was briefed on operational preparedness by commanders on ground.Gen Pande interacted with the officers and troops and complimented them for their steadfastness and professional standards, the Indian Army said. The disengagement process between Indian and Chinese troops in the Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15) area started on Sept 8 at 0830 hrs will be completed by Sept 12 and the landforms will be restored to pre-stand-off period by both sides, the Ministry of External Affairs had said on Friday.
The two sides have agreed to cease forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner, resulting in the return of the troops of both sides to their respective areas. It has been agreed that all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides will be dismantled and mutually verified.According to the agreement reached between the two countries, the LAC in this area will be strictly observed and respected by both sides, and that “there will be no unilateral change in status quo”.
The decision to disengage in the PP-15 area has been taken as per the understanding reached in the 16th round of talks between the Corps Commanders of India and China which was held at Chushul Moldo Meeting Point on July 17. Since then, the two sides had maintained regular contact to build on the progress achieved during the talks to resolve the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of India-China border areas. The areas that still remain to be resolved in Eastern Ladakh are Demchok and Depsang where the Chinese have so far remained adamant. The lingering border standoff in Eastern Ladakh has entered in its third year.Altering the May 2020 status, the PLA has also carried out construction of infrastructure near the LAC to ensure long survival of troops in the high altitude area.