China draws Red border in Ladakh

New Delhi/Leh
Sept. 6: The People’s Liberation Army of China has been making incursions into Indian territory across the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh region and has been leaving “tell-tale signs” behind, such as painting boulders red in the remote region and inscribing “China” on them, well-placed defence sources in New Delhi have confirmed.

Reacting to news reports from Leh (Ladakh) that the PLA had entered about 1.5 km into Indian territory near Mt. Gya in Ladakh and that there was an incursion along the Zulung La pass on July 31, defence sources said there have been periodic incursions by the PLA in Chumar area of Ladakh, but didn’t give dates.

However, the sources said they did not have information of any incursions by the Chinese across the international border. “India and China have differing perceptions of the demarcation of the LAC. So when Chinese border patrols conduct their patrols on the basis of their perception of the border, they do leave tell-tale signs such as painting boulders red and inscribing “China” in Mandarin on these,” defence sources said. “Other tell-tale signs include leaving food items or small equipment behind,” said a source.

A Chinese military helicopter had intruded into Indian airspace in Ladakh in June. Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor had stated that such incursions are taken up by the Army at regular border meetings between the two armies