US Believes China Deliberately Provoked India In The Latest Clash At LAC In Ladakh: Report

The United States reportedly believes that China's latest incursion into the Indian territory at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh earlier last week was a deliberate provocation.

On the intervening night of 29 and 30 August, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to occupy a strategic height at the southern region of the Pangong Tso lake in Eastern Ladakh. However, the Indian Army pre-empted the Chinese move and mobilised its forces to capture the heights near the area where Chinese troops are camped.

According to an American Intelligence assessment, with the latest incursion, China's aim was to deliberately provoke India. However, after the failure of the Chinese attempt to capture the territory, Beijing remains enraged that its local commander withdrew forces when a physical conflict appeared imminent, reports US News.

The latest face-off comes months after 15 June clashes between Indian and Chinese troops, in which 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese PLA troops were killed.

After the latest face-off near Pangong Tso, both India and China blame the other for initiating the incident.

The US News quoted a source familiar with the intelligence assessment as saying that the US believes Indian forces have prevented any loss of ground following the latest face-off.

A "scuffle" that came close to erupting into an all-out brawl commenced after Indian troops arrived, though officers on both sides reportedly withdrew their forces before actual fighting began.

A Chinese officer with the equivalent rank of a colonel in the US military gave the order for his forces to withdraw, US intelligence believes, against the wishes of higher military commands in Beijing.

The US intelligence officials reportedly remain puzzled about the timing of the latest clash as it comes amid efforts to cool tensions and China trying to improve ties with India, fearing the 15 June violence has pushed New Delhi into closer cooperation with the US.

The US, according to the report, has chosen to support India's side on the latest clash because of the Beijing's past provocative behaviour.

"We are staggered at the timing of the Chinese actions," according to the intelligence assessment, "but shouldn't complain either if Beijing shoots itself in the foot.