PM in Ladakh to review security situation amid standoff with China

Leh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning reached this border town in the Union Territory of Ladakh to review the ground security situation amid the standoff with China at Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The visit of the PM in Ladakh holds significance as it comes at a time when talks with the Chinese military to de-escalate tension at the LAC in eastern Ladakh are making no headway.

Official sources said that Mr Modi was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane reached this border town for an unannounced visit. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was supposed to visit Ladakh on Friday, has not gone along with the PM to take stock at the forward locations.

They further said that the PM was given a joint briefing by the Army, Air Force and the ITBP at one of the forward locations in Nimu, which is located at 11,000 feet above sea level. 

''Mr Modi could also visit the soldiers who were injured in violent face-off with China in Galwan valley that left 20 Indian jawans dead,'' they stated.

This is the first time that a member of Cabinet Committee on Security is visiting Ladakh since the June 15 clash in Ladakh where 20 soldiers were killed in a face-off with Chinese troops.(UNI)