LAC tensions ease after India, China hold two flag meetings

Tensions along the LAC eased after Indian and Chinese commanders held two flag meetings in the sensitive Ladakh sector on Tuesday, officials said. The meetings took place at DBO and Chushul in the wake of a border squabble last week.

Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) eased after Indian and Chinese commanders held two flag meetings in the sensitive Ladakh sector on Tuesday, officials said. The meetings took place at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and Chushul in the wake of a border squabble last week.

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A sense of unease had gripped the LAC last week after the Indian forces flattened a shack constructed by Chinese troops inside Indian territory in the Burtse region. But a flare up was avoided as both sides stuck to border protocols for maintaining peace.

The officials said both sides agreed to maintain status quo and calm along disputed border, and also discussed patrolling issues at the flag meetings — a mechanism to resolve border issues.

Both India and China had played down the latest incident saying their troops were not involved in a faceoff, with a Chinese government official on Monday seeking a clarification from India on the incident.

But tensions along the border have flared up in the past. Last September, the two armies were involved in a tense standoff in the Chumar sector.

They were also caught in a three-week standoff in the Depsang plains in April-May 2013.

According to sources, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Infantry Division held meeting with his Chinese counterpart at Daulat Beg Oldie and the Commander, 70 Mountain Brigade, had a similar meeting in the Chushul area.