Army resumes patrolling at Depsang as disengagement progresses along LAC

Patrolling at Point 10 in the Depsang Plains, marking a significant step toward de-escalation and peace along the Line of Actual Control.

In Short

• Post-disengagement verification completed in Depsang
• Successful patrolling took place at PP10 point
• Army calls it a step toward peace and tranquillity

The Indian Army on Monday resumed patrolling in the Depsang Plains, one of the friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), following the recent disengagement agreement between India and China to end the more than four-year standoff that began with the deadly Galwan clashes.

Sources confirmed that Indian forces successfully conducted a patrol at Patrolling Point 10 (PP10) in Depsang, marking another significant step toward maintaining peace and stability along the contested border.

The process followed the completion of the disengagement of the Indian and Chinese armies, and subsequent verification at the two friction points--Demchok and the Depsang Plains -- in eastern Ladakh. Patrolling in Demchok began last week.

The Depsang Plains contain five key patrolling points-- PP10, PP11, PP11A, PP12, and PP13--all critical to India’s border security interests. Patrolling in these areas has been severely restricted since the escalation of tensions in recent years, so the resumption at PP10 signals a constructive shift toward de-escalation.

“The resumption of patrols here is yet another positive step toward maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC,” said a defence official close to the process.

Following extensive rounds of dialogue between the Indian and Chinese sides at both military and diplomatic levels, the government on October 21 announced reaching a border agreement with China. Beijing also confirmed the agreement the following day, saying that a resolution had been reached on "relevant matters" and that it would work alongside New Delhi to implement the terms of this agreement.

Both armies subsequently pulled back to pre-Galwan positions and dismantled tents and temporary military structures that had been set up during the longstanding standoff, marked by the amassing of troops and military infrastructure.

On the occasion of Diwali, Indian and Chinese troops also exchanged sweets at several border points along the border.

The Indian Army is expected to gradually resume patrols at other patrolling points in the Depsang Plains as well. Discussions on disengagement in other buffer zones, including Galwan, are yet to take place at the commander level.