China's Speedy Withdrawal Of Over 200 Tanks From Pangong Lake Area Surprises Indian Security Establishment: Report

Indian Army and Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) started withdrawing their armoured units from Pangong Tso on Wednesday (10 February) morning after an agreement was reached between both India and China on disengagement on north and south banks of the lake along the LAC in Ladakh, reports Hindustan Times.

According to the report, PLA had withdrawn over 200 main battle tanks from the south bank of the Pangong Tso by Thursday (11 Febraury) and had positioned at least 100 heavy vehicles to ferry its troops from fingers on north banks to Srijap sector, east of Finger 8.

However, speed of the Chinese withdrawal has reportedly surprised the Indian army brass and national security planners.

“The speed of Chinese withdrawal since Wednesday also shows their capacity to deploy. It is a military art. The Indian side has also pulled back its armour but contingency plans are ready in case of a worst-case scenario,” one of the officials, a senior member of the Modi government, was quoted as saying.

The agreement between India and China was reached after several rounds of back-channel negotiations handled by top ministers and officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adivsor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

The officials added that disengagement in east Ladakh was proceeding to the expectations of the both parties.

India and China will withdraw their troops and positions from the agreed positions by Saturday, as it was agreed in the pact that the disengagement would be completed in three days, the officials added.