Chushul Sub-sector

Why in news?

Chushul sub-sector has come into focus in the Indo-China standoff following the movement that took place on the night of August 29-30, 2020.

What is the Chushul sub-sector?

The Chushul sub-sector lies south of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh.
It comprises high, broken mountains and heights besides passes such as Rezang La and Reqin La, the Spanggur Gap, and the Chushul valley.
It is situated at a height of over 13,000 feet close to the LAC.
The Chushul Valley has a vital airstrip that played an important role even during the 1962 War with China.
Chushul is one among the five Border Personnel Meeting points between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.
The recent brigade-level meetings between the two sides were held here.

What is its strategic importance to India?

Chushul enjoys tremendous strategic importance because of its location and terrain, which make it a centre for logistics deployment.
This sector has plains that are a couple of kilometres wide, where mechanised forces can be deployed.
Its airstrip and connectivity by road to Leh add to its operational advantages.
Indian troops have now secured the ridgeline in this sub-sector.
This will allow India to dominate the Chushul bowl on the Indian side, and Moldo sector on the Chinese side.
They have a clear sight of the almost 2-km-wide Spanggur gap, which the Chinese used in the past to launch attacks on this sector in the 1962 War.

India’s move has neutralised the advantage that China gained when it secured areas between Finger 4 and 8 on the bank of the Pangong Tso.

How is Chushul important to China?

Did the Chinese try to capture Chushul in the 1962 War?

After the initial attacks in October 1962, the PLA troops prepared to attack Chushul airfield and the valley to get direct access to Leh.
However, just before the attacks were launched, the area was reinforced by the 114 Brigade in November 1962.
This brigade had under its command two troops of armour and some artillery.
It’s important to note that the heights secured by Indian soldiers on the intervening night of August 29-30 were held by them in 1962 as well.
These included Lukung, Spanggur Gap, Gurung Hill, Rezang La, Magger Hill and Thatung Heights.

What are the future challenges in this area?

An immediate challenge is of a flare-up as troops of the two countries are deployed within a distance of 1 km of each other at Black Top and Reqin La.
Logistics also pose a major challenge.
Porters are needed to carry water and food to the top.
The troops shouldn’t do that. If they do, they will lose fighting strength.
At this point, villagers of Chushul are helping by ferrying water and essential commodities to the Indian troops deployed at Black Top.
The harsh winter that lasts for 8 months of the year poses a challenge.
It is very difficult to dig in, and make shelters on the ridgeline.
The mercury plummets to minus 30 degrees Celsius, and there are frequent snowstorms.
The Pangong Tso also freezes, making movement between its north and south banks possible.

Source: The Indian Express