India occupies strategic heights of Black Top

 *It is now confirmed that India has occupied the strategic heights of Black Top (Kala Top) on the southern Bank of Pangong Tso and from here we can control Rezang la on one side and the Gurung Hill on the other side (Chinese controlled). Now India can target the low lying tanks of China on the south bank.*

*This means:-*

*1. We are now controlling some areas which were so far controlled by China (eg. Gurung hill is part of Aksai Chin)*

*2. We have crossed over LAC (our perception of LAC, as visible in the map, see Finger 8 on north bank). And that's why Chinese are in haste, sending out 4 official messages in a Day.*

*3. Of course India will officially keep saying that we are on our territory. The "Disputed LAC" logic is being utilised by India, just like Chinese have been using it all this while. Also, Aksai Chin is already claimed as part of India.*

*4. Official sources will tell that kala top was lying dormant and we got intel that Chinese plan to occupy it, so we simply occupied it "preempting" their action (source - TOI). But the story is much more nuanced. It's a story of tactical planning, courage & skilled execution. IA did it with the help of SFF (covert unit comprising of Tibetan resistance warriors who specialise in these terrains & in covert ops.). The SFF & IA successfully crept into the darkness, evading the Chinese surveillance equipment placed on the heights and removed them. (source - Shiv Aroor). By the time PLA came for patrolling, IA ne apna tambu gaad liya tha and told PLA to return to their post. (Basically, saying eff off)*

*5. It was a tit for tat move by India. Because on the north bank they are still occupying the strategic heights of Green Top which allows them to control the banks, even though they have moved back to finger 5 on the banks. Hence, before August 31, they were not at all interested in negotiations. They were happy with the current positions (Pangong Tso). India was only left with one choice - war. Hence the statements from CDS like "War ka option khula hai etc..".  Now India has equal positions in the bargain, if not an upper hand.*

*6. For the first time, we have taken the action & they are in reaction mode. We have given them a dose of their own medicine. For the 1st time, India is speaking from a position of strength on the negotiation table. So far Indians had been Asking Chinese to vacate the north bank (finger region). Now, Chinese are asking us to vacate the south bank.*

*7. So, yes, Chinese are rightly saying that we have crossed over. But they are wrong to say that we provoked. They have provoked us at 4 points, we just reacted & opened a 5th front. And it's a common tactic. We have done it in the past with Pak.*