Image Source: MSN

China brings in hundreds of soldiers, heavy construction equipment to Galwan Valley

AGENCIES | NEW DELHI

China has brought in several hundred soldiers and heavy construction equipment into Ladakh's Galwan Valley, latest satellite images from Planet Labs shows.
According to a report by The Economic Times, the Chinese military has brought in additional troops and continues to remain deployed inside Indian territory near Patrol Point 14.
These troops from the People�s Liberation Army (PLA) were among the 800-odd soldiers who ambushed the Indian patrol party on June 15 evening.
This is despite the two sides having earlier agreed to move back a kilometre and create a 'no-man's land' or a buffer zone in the Galwan Valley.
Latest satellite images confirm the presence of a large number of vehicles used to transport personnel, heavy construction equipment and tents for forward deployment.
The newspaper cites Col. Vinayak Bhat (retd.), a satellite imagery expert, as saying that the images indicate the deployment of at least one combined arms brigade along the Galwan River. Bhat also suggested that the build up had increased over the last few days.
Chinese troops have intruded up to three kilometres in the area and are placed on dominating heights that threaten the strategic Dar-buk-Shyok-Daulat (DSDBO) road, the report adds.
The report further quotes Bhat as saying that the Chinese military's intention could possibly be to attempt and capture the entire valley and its confluence point with the Shyok River.
News reports suggest that talks between Major Generals of India and China remained inconclusive on June 18, days after a violent face-off between the two sides. No immediate disengagement or change on ground has taken place. More talks are likely to be held in coming days.