Almost 100 PLA soldiers crossed the border at Barahoti, Uttarakhand last month and damaged some infrastructure, including a bridge, before retreating, according to officials aware of the situation, reported Economic Times.
The latest Economic Times report says that even though there has been some pullout of troops in eastern Ladakh region, this latest trespass has alarmed the centre.
Barahoti, reportedly, has not been much of a border flashpoint in recent years, minor transgressions were often reported.
Barahoti also happens to be the first area to have seen transborder intrusions by the Chinese, in 1954, which later expanded to other areas and climaxed in the 1962 war.
Reportedly, the said incident took place on August 30. It did not result in a face-off as PLA soldiers had returned before a confrontation could have occurred.
Around 100 PLA soldiers and 55 horses trespassed into about 5 km of Indian territory by crossing the Tun Jun La Pass, security establishment insiders said.
There have been some minor transgressions by the PLA in the past few years. The last one took place in July. This time, the scale was much larger, which has concerned New Delhi since much has been going on the Ladakh front as well.
It has been confirmed by Government officials that Chinese soldiers along with military horses had come to the grazing ground near Barahoti, crossing the Tun Jun La Pass.
It is also believed that the group stayed in the area for around three hours. Given the area is a demilitarised zone, the presence of a large number of PLA soldiers led to concern within the security establishment.
The sources have to say that the transgression was reported by locals following which teams from ITBP and Army sent across a patrol to verify. However, the Chinese troops vacated before the patrol reached the area, it has been reported.
The Barahoti ridge is located north of the Nanda Devi National Park and troops trek to it from the last motorable point. The ridge is connected to Joshimath, where the Indian Army and ITBP have camps to counter any major PLA operations.
The ITBP monitors the nearly 350 km border in Uttarakhand which is part of the Line of Actual Control that divides India and China.
Indian and Chinese perceptions about LAC differ, which lead to frequent incursions in the area, an official from the Home Ministry said.
An ITBP spokesperson refused to make any comment on being contacted by the Economic Times. Officials have, however, acknowledged that activities of PLA troops have gone up in the region in the past few months.
“Earlier also several attempts were made by PLA to infiltrate the Barahoti area. Additional troops have been deployed in the central sector now,” the Economic Times quoted an official.
Intelligence agencies have also flagged Chinese activity at the airbase near Barahoti. Since the last year’s confrontations at Ladakh, the PLA has also substantially increased its defence across the LAC in the region.