China incursion: Indian Army dismantle bunkers in Chumar

New Delhi: The Indian Army is dismantling its bunkers in Chumar area in Ladakh as part of the understanding reached with the Chinese Army that ended the 21-day stand-off over the intrusion by Chinese troops in the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector. The bunkers are in the process of being dismantled by the Army as per the understanding between the armies of the two sides during the flag meetings, sources said here on Wedensday. [caption id=“attachment_764527” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image for representation only. Reuters[/caption] Indian troops were moved to the bunkers that were built a few months back in a bid to pressurise the Chinese troops to leave their posts from Depsang valley in the DBO sector, they said. The dismantling of bunkers is, however, being seen as a “strategic disadvantage” for the Indian side as the location at Zhipugi Arla in Chumar gave it the capability for looking deep into the Chinese territory including the important road-links on the other side. After the incursion by Chinese troops on April 15, Indian troops moved forward to the bunkers in Chumar area two days later, sources said. Following the Indian move, the Chinese side demanded at the flag meetings that India withdraw its troops from the Chumar area but the Indian side stated that the pull-out of troops should be simultaneous, they said. The Chinese side took a stand that Indian troops should move out from Chumar and then, it would consider withdrawing troops from Depsang valley, sources said. The Indian side also did not budge from its stand on the issue but after negotiations on Sunday, it was decided that the two sides would withdraw from their respective positions simultaneously, they said. Chinese Army soldiers had intruded 19 km into the Indian territory on April 15 and were in a face-to-face situation with the Indian troops who established a camp at a distance of less than 100 metres from their base. The two sides agreed to leave the area and restore the situation existing before April 15. PTI