New Delhi/Ladakh, 1 November 2024: The Indian Army resumed patrols in Demchok, eastern Ladakh, on Friday, just days after Indian and Chinese troops completed their disengagement at two long-standing friction points in the region, military sources confirmed. Patrolling in Depsang is also expected to begin shortly, they added.
The disengagement at Demchok and Depsang Plains marked a significant development in easing tensions between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). On Wednesday, Army sources announced that both sides had reached agreements on these contentious areas, allowing for a return to regular patrolling routines soon.
On Thursday, Indian and Chinese troops celebrated Diwali by exchanging sweets at several LAC border points, a traditional gesture of goodwill, just one day after the disengagement process was completed. The act, which reflects a positive shift in relations, was warmly received by both sides.
According to Army sources, the patrol areas and protocols are expected to return to their pre-April 2020 status, signaling a rollback to the conditions before the recent border tensions escalated.
