India-China Standoff: Satellite Images Show China Has Pulled Back From Face-Off Site In Galwan Valley

New satellite pictures from Maxar Technologies reveal that the Chinese forces, which were present close to Patrolling Point (PP) 14 in the Galwan River Valley, have moved back in line with the understanding reached with the Indian Army during the talks on disengagement earlier this month.

The images, put out by Twitter handle @detresfa_, show that the People’s Liberation Army has withdrawn troops and equipment from areas close to PP14.

While Chinese positions can be seen in a picture taken on 28 June, structures and equipment are not visible in the one taken on 6 July.

As part of the ongoing disengagement, Indian and Chinese forces have started moving away from the site of the 15 June clash.

“Chinese troops have shifted two km..in Galwan. Temporary structures being removed by both sides,” a senior official has been quoted as saying.

Both sides have agreed to create a temporary buffer zone around PP 14 as they engage in further discussions aimed de-escalation in Ladakh.

Following the 15 June clashes at PP 14, India had accused China of trying to erect structures just across the Line of Actual Control in the Galwan Valley. The Chinese side has claimed that the “entire” Galwan River Valley belongs to it.

According to a report in India Today, which is based on ‘excerpts from minutes of one of the meetings between the two sides’, China has staked claim to territory up to 800 metres into the Indian side from PP 14.

The Indian Army, reports say, will resume patrolling up to PP 14 after the ongoing disengagement between Indian and Chinese forces is complete.