‘Incursion by China in Ladakh on the decline’

Senior officials said the PLA activity has reduced in the Trig Heights and Depsang bulge area, south of Chipchap River and in the area south of the strategic Karakoram pass.

Though Beijing has upgraded its military capacity through road infrastructure and advanced equipment in Tibet, its activity in eastern Ladakh is not alarming and intrusions are partly due to difference in perception of boundaries or deliberate attempts by Chinese to stake claim.

According to available data, the PLA transgressions in the Trig Heights area were 75 in 2009, 34 in 2010 and only two this year (till October).

In comparison, the Indian Army sent 68 patrols in 2009, 40 patrols in 2010 and 44 patrols so far this year to mark its presence. Same is the case with Depsang bulge area near Daulat Beg Oldi up in the north. There have been no recorded intrusions this year as compared with six in 2010 and five in 2009 with Indian Army sending more than 24 patrols each year.

Officials said intrusions by PLA in Pangong Tso area of Ladakh including the lake have not registered any increase.

To date the Chinese transgressions in Pangong Tso have been 95 (with 29 on boat) as compared to 104 (29 on boat) in 2010 and 100 (32 on boat) in 2009. More than 25 Indian Army patrols were sent in this area including more than 16 by boat in the same years.

PLA activity has increased in Dumchele area, helicopters have been sighted in Chumar area in 2007 and 2009 but the transgressions have declined in Demchok in southern Ladakh.

While intrusions in Dumchele area to date have been 12 including 11 sightings of PLA patrols, there were 16 intrusions last year and only 8 in 2009.

Same is the case with Demchok with four PLA patrols intruding across the LAC as compared with 7 in 2010 and 4 in 2009. In comparison, the Indian Army sent 32 patrols this year, 53 the previous year and 72 in 2009.

The recorded number of PLA intrusions in Chumar this year is one as compared to two in the past two years. The Indian Army has sent out no less than 243 patrols this year, 183 patrols in 2010 and 87 patrols in 2009 in the same area to register its presence on the LAC.