IN PICs: Chinese PLA troops vacate Finger 5; dismantle jetty, helipad near Pangong Tso lake
According to reports, China has dismantled its jetty as well as helipad at Finger 5. It is currently in process of taking down tents and observation posts in the area.
New Delhi: After months of acrimonious stand-off, Chinese troops have finally started retreating from Pangong Tso lake.
The disengagement started this morning, with Chinese PLA troops dismantling its military bunkers and moving back its artillery.
The move comes days after the two countries agreed on a disengagement plan in Eastern Ladakh where they were caught in a deadlock for over eight months.
According to reports, China has dismantled its jetty as well as helipad at Finger 5. It is currently in process of taking down tents and observation posts in the area.
The Chinese troops are also removing shelters and fortifications that it built last year.
The Chinese pullback from the highly contentious region comes on the heels of India’s strong resolve and giving enough hints that India will stand upto any Chinese misadventure.
The disengagement process will take some time as dismantling the bunkers and gun positions will take some time.
Around 20,00o troops were deployed and air defence systems were put in place near the areas around Pangong Tso.
The agreement inked by the two countries, under which the disengagement kicked off on February 10, specifies that China will begin to move its troops to Finger 8 and India will move back towards Finger 3. India will retain its troops at Dhan Singh Thapa administration camp.