Srinagar – The disengagement process between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh has been completed, according to defense sources. Following this development, both armies have initiated the verification of their positions and the dismantling of infrastructure previously established in the area.
Sources indicated that the dismantling of temporary structures in the Depsang Plains and Demchok regions is nearing completion, with some verification already conducted on both sides. This verification process is being carried out through physical inspections and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
As part of the disengagement process, troops from both nations have withdrawn to deeper rear positions. Future patrols will involve small groups of 10 to 15 soldiers venturing to previously inaccessible points that have been off-limits since April 2020.
The military standoff between India and China along the LAC began over four and a half years ago following Chinese incursions into Indian territory. Recently, India announced a new agreement concerning patrols in the Depsang Plains and Demchok regions, which was subsequently confirmed by Beijing. A Chinese spokesperson noted that “the Chinese and Indian frontier troops are engaged in relevant work, which is going smoothly at the moment.”
Following the verification phase, coordinated patrolling is expected to commence within the next two days. Both sides have agreed to inform one another in advance of their movements to prevent potential confrontations.
In the Depsang Plains, Indian troops will now be able to patrol beyond previously restricted areas, as the Chinese had been blocking access to key patrolling points. Similarly, in Demchok, Indian forces are expected to reach strategic locations like Track Junction and Charding Nullah.
Despite these developments, a significant number of Indian troops that were deployed to Ladakh after the 2020 standoff will remain in the region until a comprehensive border patrolling mechanism is established with China. “There are no plans to withdraw any troops from Ladakh in the near future until an atmosphere of mutual trust and verification is firmly in place,” defense sources stated.
A comparable disengagement arrangement is also being discussed for Arunachal Pradesh, where tensions have escalated in regions such as Yangtse, Asaphila, and the Subansiri Valleys.