PTI, New Delhi :
After heightened tension in Chumar area in northeast Ladakh for four days, Chinese troops on Thursday night began withdrawing from Indian territory, official sources said.
Chinese troops started retreating into their territory from 9:45pm, the sources said, adding that Indian Army which was present in large number in the area also started simultaneously reducing their presence in the area, about 300 km east of Leh. The sources said that a vigil was still being maintained as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had camped just across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the situation would be reviewed on Friday.
However, the stand-off in Demchok where Chinese nomads, Rebos, had pitched their tents continued for the 12th day on Thursday. The incursion in this area is nearly 500 metres deep into Indian territory, the sources said. The Chinese nomads actively helped by the PLA have been protesting against an irrigation canal being built for the local villagers.
The stand-off in Demchok and Chumar had cast a shadow on Thursday’s summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
