1,025 cases of incursion into Ladakh region by China in 3 years, says Defence Ministry

Despite the strong denials from the Central government, the defence ministry has stated that there have been more than 1,000 cases of incursions and transgressions into the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir in the past three years.

In response to questions posed by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab and Shiv Sena MP Rahul Ramesh Shewale on transgressions by China in the border areas, the ministry said that in 2016, there were 273 cases of incursions and transgressions across the LAC (Line of Actual control), in 2017, 426 and in 2018, 326. Unlike previously, Shripad Naik, the minister of state in the Ministry of Defence has not categorically denied transgressions this year. He has stated that the information was being collected about the transgressions in 2019 and refused to share any other information

The MPs had asked whether the Government has taken note of the incursions and transgressions by Chinese soldiers into the border areas of the country including Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, the cases and whether the matter of such incursions and transgressions has been discussed with the Chinese President.

Naik, in his response, decided to educate the MPs about some specifics about the LAC first. He explained that “There is no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border areas between India and China and there are areas along the LAC where both sides have differing perception of LAC. Due to both sides undertaking to patrol up to their respective perception of the LAC, transgressions do occur. Government is taking measures to ensure that defence forces are in a state of readiness to meet operational and security challenges.”

Additionally, Naik stated that there have been no causalities in these three years as a result of these incursions or transgressions.

On the question whether these transgressions were discussed with the Chinese President, Naik stated that during the recent visit of Chinese President to India, views were exchanged on outstanding issues, including the boundary question. “Issues discussed also included efforts to arrive at a mutually-agreed framework for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement based on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles agreed by two sides in 2005. There were talks on continued efforts to ensure peace and tranquillity in the border areas and additional Confidence Building Measures,” explained the note from the ministry of defence.

Earlier this year, Army chief General Bipin Rawat had dismissed the reports of incursion along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Demchok area of Ladakh and said the issue had been sorted out in a flag meeting.

A week ago, it was reported that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would review the requirements of the para-military troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Jammu and Kashmir. Then Central government sources had said that they wanted to strengthen its positions by developing infrastructure and meeting requirements of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the LAC, with sophisticated and modernized vehicles and other equipment.

ITBP has about 90,000 personnel and is primarily tasked to guard the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China that runs from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. It began in the aftermath of the 1962 Chinese aggression.