Barely year after Doklam, Chinese troops intrude into Ladakh

Nearly an year after the 2-month-long Doklam standoff between the Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) ended, troops from China have intruded over 300 metres into Ladakh and pitched tents there.

Media agencies reported that the incursions into Demchok in Eastern Ladakh happened in early July with the PLA intruders pitching five tents. After the Indian Army raised the issue in talks with the PLA, some of the intruders dismantled three of their tents and withdrew; but others are reportedly still in Demchok. The PLA intruders reportedly arrived as cowherds, accompanied by cattle.

The 73-day-long standoff at Doklam lasted from June to late August when a Chinese road-building party arrived in the Doklam trijunction area between India, China and Bhutan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced that they would instruct their militaries to work towards “de-escalation” measures to avoid situations like the one at Doklam.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the Modi government on the Ladakh incursion. He tweeted “Modiji’s so called 'Laal Aankh' is absolutely shut, as post Doklam, China again intrudes in our territory. This time in Ladakh! Modiji, ‘Drumbeating Rhetoric’ & ‘Agenda Less Visits to China’ won’t do! Stop being a ‘Lameduck Govt’ compromising on our National Security!”