Patrol Point

Patrolling Points (PPs) were identified by India's China Study Group in the 1970s to optimize patrolling effectiveness and resource utilization along the disputed and undemarcarted China–India border at a time when border infrastructure was weak. Instead of patrolling the entire 3000 km plus border, troops would just be required to patrol to the patrolling points. Over time, as infrastructure, resources and troop capability improved and increased, the patrolling points were revised. The concept of patrol points came about well before India officially accepted the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Patrolling points give a truer on–ground guide of India's limits of actual control.[1][2][3]

About

PPs were set up by the China Study Group, the sole advisor to the Government of India on China, based on the recommendation of the Indian Army and the Indo–Tibetan Border Police. In 1993 the government had accepted the concept.[2] The concept of patrolling points were set up well before India officially accepted the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

In the 1970s, when resources were severely constricted, the PPs were set up to make optimum use of resources. Over time, as the infrastructure improved, the PPs have been revised. Most PPs are close to the LAC, however in Depsang plains area, the PPs still remain well inside, despite having been revised a number of times. Former Army officers have said that PPs are a better on ground picture of India's limits of control.[1] Based on location, the periodicity of visiting PPs can vary greatly from a few weeks to a couple of months.[3] While some PPs are numbered, others are not, and are identified by geographical landmarks.[2] There are over 65 PPs stretching from Karakoram to Chumar.[4]

PPs within the LAC and the patrol routes that join them are known as 'limits of patrolling'. Some army officers call this the "LAC within the LAC" or the actual LAC. The various patrol routes to the limits of patrolling are called the 'lines of patrolling'.[1]

During the 2020 China–India skirmishes PPs under dispute included PPs 10 to 13, 14, 15, 17, and 17A.[2] On 18 September 2020, an article in The Hindu wrote that "since April, Indian troops have been denied access to PPs number 9, 10, 11, 12, 12A, 13, 14, 15, 17, 17A."[4]

List of points
  • PP1 to PP3 — near Karakoram Pass[5]
  • PP8 to PP9 — in Depsang plains
  • PP10 to PP13 including PP11A — near Depsang Plains from Raki Nala to Jivan Nala[2][5]
  • PP14 — in Galwan Valley[2]
  • PP15 — in Hot Spring[2]
  • PP16 — between Hot Spring and Gogra in the Chang Chenmo River valley
  • PP17 and PP17A — in Gogra, 17A is Gogra Post[2]
  • PP18 to PP23 — east of Gogra, from Chang Chemo River tributary along third stream (coordinates: 34.2937, 79.0532) towards Pangong Tso

See also

References
  1. Subramanian, Nirupama; Kaushik, Krishn (2020-09-20). "Month before standoff, China blocked 5 patrol points in Depsang". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  2. Singh, Sushant (2020-07-13). "Patrolling Points: What do these markers on the LAC signify?". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  3. "India-China LAC Standoff: Know what are patrolling points and what do they signify". The Financial Express. 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  4. Singh, Vijaita (2020-09-18). "LAC standoff | 10 patrolling points in eastern Ladakh blocked by Chinese People's Liberation Army, says senior official". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  5. "India deploys troops and tanks in Ladakh to counter Chinese deployment". Deccan Chronicle. ANI. 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2020-09-27.CS1 maint: others (link)
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