Govt Denied Report On Chinese Troops Occupying Positions On Pangong Tso Finger 2 and 3
The Central government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Friday refuted a media report which claimed that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops have further transgressed into the Indian territory at Pangong Tso (lake) in eastern Ladakh.
Leading daily The Hindu had claimed that Chinese troops had now occupied positions on Finger 2 and 3 on the northern bank of Pangong Tso. The PIB Fact Check Twitter handle dubbed it fake news. The PIB further said that the Indian Army has also refuted the claim.
The newspaper had made the claim basis a statement by former BJP MP Thupstan Chhewang. The former Ladakh MP had claimed that Chinese troops had come in further in the Indian territory at Pangong Tso.
The development came as India described the ongoing border standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh as the “worst crisis” in decades.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday said India had dealt with the issue with “firmness and maturity”.
According to the report, Chhewang had said that he received this information from locals living in the forward areas along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. He had also claimed that Indian soldiers are living in tents and it is not adequate for them in sub-zero conditions.
The report quoted the politician as saying, “The border situation is critical. The Chinese troops have not only further transgressed into our areas but they have also occupied prominent positions in Finger 2 and 3 areas of Pangong Tso, even Hot Springs area they have not fully vacated… this is what we have come to know from locals.”
But the clams of Chhewang reported by The Hindu has been rejected by Army officials. Reacting to the news, Retired Lieutenant General Satish Dua said that it is fake claim and fake news. He confirmed that there are no civilians living in the area, therefore the civilians quoted in the report are not correct.
