Borders at risk; India loses control of 26 of 65 patrol points in Ladakh

Indian Army’s play safe approach is creating buffer zones and restricting the movement of graziers along the China border -- Research paper finds out

NT Correspondent

New Delhi: India, as of the moment, does not have access to 26 out of 65 patrolling points in Eastern Ladakh. The situation is worthy of mention considering IndiaChina stand-off along the 3500 km border.

“Presently there are 65 PPs (Patrolling Points) starting from Karakoram pass to Chumur which are to be patrolled regularly by the ISFs (Indian Security Forces). Out of 65 PPs, our presence is lost in 26 PPs (i.e. PP no. 5-17, 24-32, 37, due to restrictive or no patrolling by the ISFs,” wrote PD Nitya, the Superintendent of Police of Leh, Ladakh’s main city, in a research paper accessed by NDTV.

The research paper also noted that the Indian Army has been restricting the movement of civilians and graziers into the area as the Chinese have installed cameras and can raise objections. The paper highlighted how India’s “play safe” approach which prevented the movement of district administration and locals in forward areas has led to these turning into informal “buffer” zones.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval attended last week’s annual summit of the nation’s senior police officers in Delhi where the report was presented. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi accused PM Modi of being the weakest PM India has had for “ceding land to China”.

Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal also accused the Centre of continuing and increasing trade with Beijing despite Chinese aggression.