Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Centre must clarify the ground situation in Ladakh region following withdrawal of Chinese troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector.
“Some amount of clarity from the Government of India, particularly from the Ministry of Defence, would be desired so that we know exactly what the ground position is. But the fact that the Chinese have withdrawn is something we welcome,” Omar told presspersons here.
Referring to media reports about both India and China pulling back troops from the stand-off point at Daulat Beg Oldi sector yesterday, the CM said while the Chinese withdrawal from the area was understandable, he could not apprehend where the Indian troops pulled back from in the area.
“The only doubt one has in mind based on the reports in the media that it was a withdrawal by both sides — both India and China withdrew. I am wondering where India withdrew from and where India withdrew to because this is our territory, this is our side of the Line of Actual Control,” he said.
The CM said while there have been regular incursions by the Chinese forces on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), it was after a long time that Chinese came and established a tented camp on the Indian side of LAC.
“The fact they were there for 19 days was a long enough time,” Omar said.
He expressed satisfaction that the diplomatic measures undertaken by the Centre following the incursions have yielded the desired results.