SRINAGAR: The Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed for the civilians in view of the fresh “provocative” military movements by the Chinese troops on the intervening night of August 29-30 in eastern Ladakh. The Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed for the civilians with immediate effect. The road will remain open only for the defence forces and vehicles, reported India Today.

Army convoy moving along Srinagar-Leh national highway, at Gagangeer in Kashmirs Ganderbal district on August 31, 2020. The road is the safest road link to Ladakh. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Quoting the Indian Army India Today reported that the Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo on the southern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake area in eastern Ladakh.

Police personnel vehicle at Srinagar-Leh national highway, at Gagangeer in Kashmirs Ganderbal district August 31, 2020. The road is open but no civilian movement, other than essential services, is permitted. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

In a statement, the defence ministry said, “On the night of 29/30 August 2020, PLA troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo.”

The Indian troops detected activity by a sizeable number of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during the night, the Army said.

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