The incident on 30 August did not lead to a face-off as the PLA troops had withdrawn by the time they faced the Indian troops. Security sources told ET that 55 horses and over 100 soldiers had entered Indian territory more than 5 km after crossing the Tun Jun La pass.

In the last few years, there have been only minor incidents of infiltration from the PLA side in this area. The last time it happened was in July, after which New Delhi’s concerns had increased. Tension with China already persists in eastern Ladakh. Government officials have confirmed that Chinese soldiers, accompanied by army horses, crossed the Tun Jun La pass to a pasture near Barahoti.

It is believed that this group of Chinese soldiers stayed for about three hours. Since this area is a demilitarized zone (where there are no soldiers), the presence of such a large number of PLA soldiers is a matter of concern for the security establishments. Sources said that the local people informed about this infiltration, after which the ITBP and Army team immediately reached there to confirm it. However, before the arrival of the Indian patrol, the Chinese soldiers had left the area and returned.