Amid tensions with China, Army Chief arrives in Ladakh for two-day visit

Indian Army Chief, General General Manoj Mukund Naravane, arrived in Ladakh on Thursday morning for a two-day visit to review the ground situation.

The visit comes in the backdrop of the recent skirmishes between China and India after which the Indian defence ministry said that army has foiled “provocative military movements” by the Chinese PLA to change the status quo in the area.

Quoting unnamed official sources, Kashmir News Observer reported that the Army Chief met top army officials and has sought feedback from them about the recent Brigade Commander level talks with Chinese forces.

They said that the Army Chief will be in Ladakh for two days and will review the security situation in the area.

Pertinently, Brigade Commander level talks were also held earlier to pacify the tensions after China made “provocative military movements.”

The region’s former MLA and senior political leader, Deldan Namgyal, earlier told KNO that the situation in eastern Ladakh is highly alarming and China has encroached the Indian territory but the central government is lying to the entire nation about the huge incursion in the area and has snapped telecom services in the area close to Line of actual control (LAC).

It may be recalled that this is the second visit of the Army Chief in the area post the escalating tensions with China. Earlier, the army chief visited Leh to verify about the health of injured soldiers during the first round of de-escalation process and then accompanied the Prime Minister of India and Defence Minister of India as well to assess the situation and security.

Cautioning China about its actions in eastern Ladakh, Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, recently said that military option is on table to deal with China if talks fail.

Foreign minister, S Jaishankar, recently said that the situation in Ladakh is more serious in the ensuing year than 1962. KNO