Army Strikes Back: Depsang Patrols and Peace Treaties with a Side of Humor
(File photo tweeted by 14 Corps)
Successful Patrols: A Military Netflix Special?
Here we go again, folks! The Indian Army has pulled off an operation in the Depsang Plains—and, rumor has it, it was more exhilarating than the last season of your favorite reality show. After some casual last week patrols at Demchok, they decided to go all out this Monday. Is this ‘Full-Fledged Patrols: The Sequel’? That’s right, they sent a band of 15 soldiers, decked out and ready for a bit of a stroll—mind you, with a little heads up to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Because who wants a surprise party at the border?
Agreement? What’s that? A New Snack?
There’s been a bit of back-and-forth with these lad-crazy neighbors, and if you haven’t been following along, let’s just say the ‘consensus’ reached on October 21 sounds like a fancy way of saying, “Let’s just agree to disagree but not in public.” The big takeaway? Both sides are trying their best to avoid a messy fight—kind of like two school kids agreeing to share their snacks rather than dive straight into a food fight.
Patrol & The Winter: An Icy Relationship
Ah, winter is coming! But don’t believe the hype; our brave boys won’t be sending postcards from their frosty escapades. “We’ll patrol some areas throughout the winter,” one officer said, but just don’t expect them to be scaling Everest anytime soon. Some areas are getting the cold shoulder—literally! Apparently, weather conditions have a way of dampening a soldier’s sense of adventure.
Has the PLA Got the Memo?
While we’re busy patrolling to our hearts’ content, it seems the PLA isn’t just binging Netflix on the couch; they’ve also sent out their patrols’ RSVP. Isn’t that adorable? A game of military peek-a-boo, and just to keep things cordial, everyone’s been ‘pre-informing’ each other. Because at the end of the day, nobody wants to throw fists—I mean, can you imagine the paperwork?
The Elephant in the Room: Buffer Zones
Now, just a quick note—India is still waiting on its buffet of demands to be served, particularly concerning those pesky buffer zones. It seems while we’ve been reaching out for peace snacks, this ‘de-escalation’ may just be a touch out of reach. Still, hope springs eternal! Who knows, with enough goodwill (and maybe some ice cream), things might yet thaw.
Final Thoughts
As the news spins on, let’s keep our fingers crossed for a cozy winter instead of a chilly standoff. Perhaps all we need is a cozy chat over hot cocoa, and everyone’s stubbornness can melt away. Cheers to keeping the peace while we figure out who gets the last biscuit!
NEW DELHI: On Monday, the Indian Army successfully conducted its inaugural extensive patrol at one of the critical patrolling points (PPs) located in the strategically significant Depsang Plains of eastern Ladakh, marking a notable advancement in regional security efforts. This operation follows closely after similar patrols were executed in the Demchok area just last week.
A senior military officer stated, “Following the consensus reached between India and China on October 21 concerning disengagement, both nations previously undertook verification patrols in both Demchok and Depsang.” The officer further indicated that full-scale patrol operations had resumed in Demchok shortly thereafter.
A contingent of 15 soldiers embarked on this patrol in Depsang, with full compliance to prior notification requirements for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as specified in the recently established bilateral agreement regarding patrolling protocols announced on October 21.
“This patrol signifies the first independent venture into Depsang following the verification patrols and successfully returned to base after several hours without encountering any impediments imposed by the PLA during their movement,” the officer elaborated.
With this patrol’s successful completion, the Indian Army is poised to initiate patrols to the remaining four PPs in Depsang, signaling a progressive step forward in operational readiness. “The ball has been set in motion,” the officer emphasized, referencing the implications of the new pact that has facilitated disengagement in two of the seven major standoff sites that emerged due to multiple Chinese incursions into eastern Ladakh which commenced in April-May 2020.
According to a social media update from the Leh-based 14 Corps late Monday night, “This is yet another positive step towards maintaining peace and tranquillity on the Line of Actual Control,” accompanied by a pertinent file photo.
While the Army has now secured “unrestricted access” to the five PPs in Depsang and two in Demchok, issues regarding conducting long-duration patrols in specific areas may arise as winter approaches. “We will continue to patrolling certain regions throughout the winter; however, operations in some other locations will be significantly hindered due to adverse weather conditions,” he noted.
The PLA is also carrying out similar patrols with advance notice to avoid the risk of confrontations. Notably, during the verification patrols, Indian soldiers gained access to several PPs in Depsang Plains for the first time in nearly five years via the “Bottleneck,” a strategic area roughly 18 kilometers within Indian territory that had been restricted by the PLA since April-May 2020.
In light of the Depsang-Demchok agreement, India is now advocating for the restoration of patrolling rights in various areas that have experienced the establishment of “no patrol buffer zones” following earlier rounds of disengagement until September 2022.
These buffer zones have been set up in crucial regions such as Galwan, the northern bank of Pangong Tso, the Kailash Range, and the expansive Gogra-Hot Springs area, extending from 3 kilometers up to 10 kilometers, primarily within territories that India considers to be its own.
Despite these advancements, India still faces considerable challenges in achieving its objectives for de-escalation and the withdrawal of more than 50,000 PLA troops currently stationed in eastern Ladakh, in addition to approximately 90,000 PLA troops deployed in the eastern sectors of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Since the demand for this de-induction remains unaddressed, the situation requires continued diplomatic efforts.
**Interview: A Lighthearted Take on Recent Patrols in Depsang**
**Host:** Welcome to our segment on military operations with a twist of humor! Today, we have Lieutenant Colonel Raghav Joshi, an expert on Indo-Chinese border operations, to discuss the recent full-fledged patrols in the Depsang Plains. Colonel Joshi, thanks for joining us!
**Colonel Joshi:** Thank you for having me! Excited to dig into this topic—pun intended!
**Host:** The Indian Army embarked on its first extensive patrol in Depsang after some action at Demchok. Do you think this operation could rival a blockbuster movie sequel?
**Colonel Joshi:** (chuckles) Absolutely! It’s like “Mission: Impossible—Desert Edition.” With 15 brave soldiers taking the lead, I’d say they’ve chosen a more scenic route than Tom Cruise usually does. And don’t forget—they’ve sent out invites to the PLA, so we’re keeping it civilized.
**Host:** Speaking of civilized, can you explain the recent agreement from October 21 to our audience? Is it more of a peace treaty or a kids’ snack-sharing arrangement?
**Colonel Joshi:** It’s certainly a mix! It’s like saying, “We’ll agree to not punch each other in the nose, but let’s keep our snacks nearby just in case.” The agreement aims for a diplomatic approach to minimize conflicts, but we still have some items on the wish list!
**Host:** Winter is approaching, and you mentioned sightings of soldiers asking, “Are we doing this on Everest?” What’s the plan for patrolling in colder conditions?
**Colonel Joshi:** (laughs) Right! Winter patrols are like an ice cream sundae—sweet but complicated! We’ll be out there, but let’s keep it reasonable. Imagine trying to maintain a serious demeanor while teetering on icy ledges. So, expect fewer mountaintop selfies and more warm cocoa breaks.
**Host:** And what about the PLA? Are they on board with the invite to the military patrols, or do they need better communication skills?
**Colonel Joshi:** (smirks) Oh, they’ve RSVP’d alright! It’s like a carefully choreographed dance—everyone’s keeping an eye out, and nothing too dramatic has happened. They’ve gotten the memo, though I bet they keep their distance when it comes to those awkward moments of overlap.
**Host:** There’s still some talk about buffer zones and demands waiting to be addressed. Can you enlighten us on that ‘buffet’ situation?
**Colonel Joshi:** (nods) Yes, the buffer zones are that pie no one wants to share but all seem to reach for! We’re hoping they’ll show up good and hot, but for now, we’re just keeping our plates tidy and waiting on the chef—who seems a bit distracted at the moment!
**Host:** So, here’s to a cozy winter rather than a frosty standoff! Any final thoughts for our listeners about peace at the border?
**Colonel Joshi:** Indeed! Picture soldiers bonding over hot cocoa rather than cold battle tactics. We can always hope for some ingenuity and maybe a holiday treat to smoothen the edges. Because at the end of the day, who really wants the last biscuit to break the peace?
**Host:** (laughs) Well, let’s keep our fingers crossed for a cozy winter and maybe a little less drama! Thank you for your insights, Colonel Joshi!
**Colonel Joshi:** Thank you for having me! Always a pleasure to share a laugh about serious matters!
**Host:** And thank you to our audience for tuning in! Until next time, stay warm and peaceful!
