Galwan was not last; Chinese troops infiltrated areas across LAC twice, says report

New Delhi: In a revelation that emerged during investiture ceremonies, Indian troops successfully repulsed two attacks by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. These incidents occurred in January and November 2022, coinciding with the ongoing talks between the two nations to address the military standoff.

Details of these covert operations and acts of gallantry by Indian Army personnel came to light as the Army Western Command and Central Command inadvertently disclosed them during recent investiture ceremonies. The citations highlighted instances where Indian forces thwarted PLA attacks, demonstrating exceptional courage and resilience.

Confrontations following Galwan conflict

According to citations from the Western Command, Chinese troops targeted a post manned by Sikh Light Infantry troops on January 7, 2022. A soldier from the unit exhibited extraordinary bravery, engaging in hand-to-hand combat, injuring four PLA soldiers, and seizing their weapons. Another clash occurred on November 27, 2022, at a post manned by J&K Rifles. A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) effectively led his troops in repulsing the attack, sustaining injuries in the process.

Covert operations in Eastern Ladakh, Sikkim

In addition to the confrontations along the LAC, the Army conducted two covert operations in eastern Ladakh, with details of one operation classified. Notably, an officer and a soldier displayed exceptional courage in these operations despite challenging terrains and weather conditions. Simultaneously, a separate cross-border operation in Sikkim saw a Special Forces officer providing intelligence on Chinese military movements over five days in November 2022.

Operational details, declassification considerations

While gallantry awards were conferred to the involved personnel on January 26, 2023, and August 15, 2023, the specific details of these operations became public only during the investiture ceremonies. In light of this inadvertent disclosure, sources indicate that the Army is contemplating withholding specific operational details from citation announcements during investiture ceremonies to prevent sensitive information from entering the public domain.

Ongoing India-China dynamics

The skirmishes along the LAC have been a persistent issue, with both nations deploying significant troop numbers. Some friction points, including Galwan Valley and parts of Pangong Tso, have seen resolution with the establishment of buffer zones. However, legacy friction points like Depsang Plains and Demchok are yet to witness disengagement.