In the first signs of de-escalation after the June 15 clash,
Chinese troops are believed to have moved back in both Galwan and
Pangong Tso areas. A preliminary verification has been done, though a more extensive double-check is underway, said sources.
ET has reliably gathered that Chinese troops have started to pull back beyond PP-14 and the area where the clash took place. Also, sources said, some temporary structures and tent-like shelters have also been removed indicating a positive trend.
However, sources said, these changes are 'reversible', hence need to be watched carefully. India and
China are in touch over the verification process.
Even at Pangong Tso, sources said the Chinese side pulled back some distance in the past 24-48 hours from Finger 4 but not yet to the point where India has demanded withdrawal. Here too, sources said, some structures are being pulled down though India is still verifying every detail.
The withdrawal of troops by the Chinese side comes after a lengthy senior commanders meeting on July 2. At that meeting, both sides agreed on a verifiable disengagement process over the next three days, added sources.
Even as these reports of a pull back started to trickle in the past 24 hours, New Delhi is taking a cautious line. Disengagement, sources said, must be meaningful and sustainable so that such events can be avoided in the future.
For this, sources said, India will push for further de-escalation and restoration of earlier status quo and more. To this end, further deliberations are expected.
The standoff at the
LAC between the two sides had reached a flashpoint on June 15, when the
PLA attacked an Indian patrol party that had gone to the border in
Galwan Valley to verify a Chinese withdrawal.
20 Indian soldiers including the commanding officer were killed in the clash, and while the Chinese never made public their losses, all indications said they suffered significant casualties, including the death of their battalion commander.