He said that the Army’s decision to capture heights on the southern bank of the lake last August made pressure on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and forced it to come at the backfoot. He said that China violated protocols that existed between both nations. The Chinese army tried to interfere with the status quo along the LAC by mobilising, deploying and using force. Lt Gen. Joshi supervised Operation Snow Leopard, India’s response to the Chinese aggression on the LAC.
Joshi said the Northern Command responded to these misbehaviours by “speedily mobilising, pitching strength opposite the friction points and posturing”. The Kargil War hero said that five rounds of talks at the corps commander level between both the nations failed to create any solution.
He said that the PLA again used aggressive tactics on the night of 29/30 August in the areas located opposite the south of Pangong Tso. In a counter move, the Northern Command of the Indian army got hold of the most dominating features of Rechin La and Rezang La on the Kailash range. These locations are strategically very important as they overlook areas up to Moldo Garrison and other areas on the Chinese side of LAC in depth.
Lt Gen. Joshi said that simultaneously army took control of heights that dominate Finger 4 on the northern bank of the lake. He said that this action by the Indian army pushed PLA into backfoot and negotiate with the Indian side. During the 9th round of talks, PLA agreed for disengagement from the border under conditions that are favourable to us.
Lt Gen. Joshi said that the disengagement process consists of four steps and every step will be followed up by monitoring and verification. He said that step 1 of the disengagement process will include armoured and mechanised units from both the sides moving back.
