Graziers confront Chinese soldiers in Ladakh: Report

Srinagar, Jan 31: Amid military tensions between India and China in eastern Ladakh, a recent skirmish has emerged after Indian graziers were stopped by Chinese soldiers in the Kakjung area of Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) earlier this month.

According to a report published in The Hindu, the incident occurred on January 2 near Patrolling Points (PPs) 35 and 36, as reported by Chushul councilor Konchok Stanzin, who shared a video of the skirmish on X on January 30.

In the video, herders can be seen confronting Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers when the latter ask them to go back, claiming it to be Chinese territory. The locals, heard speaking in Tibetan, are seen throwing rocks at the Chinese soldiers. Quoting Councilor Stanzin, the report states that the incident took place near Patrolling Points (PPs) 35 and 36 at Kakjung under Nyoma constituency in Ladakh.

While Chinese soldiers with their vehicles are visible in the video, there is no presence of Indian security forces. "The area is within India's perception of LAC," the report quoted Ishey Spalzang, Councillor of Nyoma. Following the incident, a team of officials visited the grazing site on January 12 to assess the situation.

Councillor Nyoma Mr. Spalzang mentioned that after the face-off with locals, the sarpanch, sub-divisional magistrate, Indian Army, and the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials visited the grazing site on January 12. He emphasized the significance of the valley for winter grazing of cattle and highlighted past attempts by the Chinese to obstruct graziers, which were countered by asserting claims. He added that the incident location is within 1 km of the Indian claim on the border line with China.

A defense source confirmed that the video depicts an incident from the first week of January involving nomad graziers from India conversing with PLA soldiers. Such incidents, the source noted, are common on both sides due to differing perceptions of the LAC and are addressed according to established mechanisms.