Synchronized Pangong disengagement

Subject: Security

Context: After 9 months of military stand-off China announced synchronized troops disengagement along Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh.

Concept:

The conflict on border started at Pangong Tso in May 2020. Later on, with talks going on the clashes between military happened at Galwan valley which claimed dead soldiers on both sides.
Indian troops surprised the Chinese by occupying dominating heights on the south bank of Pangong Tso, and in the larger Chushul sub-sector.
Since then, many rounds of talks at different levels took place.
Indian troops positioned themselves on Gurung Hill, Magar Hill, Mukhpari, Rechin La and Rezang La. They also have direct view of China’s Moldo Garrison, and the strategic Spanggur Gap which can be used to launch offensives — as the Chinese did in 1962.
India and China share a 3,488 km long boundary. Unfortunately, the entire boundary is disputed. The line, which delineates the boundary between the two countries, is popularly called the McMahon line, after its author Sir Henry McMahon.
Post-1962 war, the boundary came to be known as Line of Actual Control (LAC). It is a military held line.

Current announcement:

This is based on Corps commander level talk on 24^th
There will be a phased withdrawal.
Troops occupying heights will descend at a later stage. The disengagement, sources underlined, will happen “simultaneously” on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso.

About Pangong Tso:

Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake (landlocked) that is partly in India’s Ladakh region and partly in Tibet.
Nearly two-thirds of the lake is controlled by China, with just about 45 km under Indian control. The LAC, running north-south, cuts the western part of the lake, aligned east-west.
The lake’s water, while crystal clear, is brackish, making it undrinkable. The lake freezes during the winter, allowing some vehicular movement on it as well