Editing Line of Actual Control (section)

== Patrol points ==

In the 1970s, India's [[China Study Group]] identified patrol points to which Indian forces would patrol. This was a better representation of how far India could patrol towards its perceived LAC and delimited India's limits of actual control.<ref name="IE China blocked" /><ref name="IE patrolling points" /> These periodic patrols were performed by both sides, and often crisscrossed.{{sfnp|Menon, Choices|2016|p=Chapter 1: Pacifying the Border. The 1993 Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement with China}}

Patrolling Points were identified by India's [[China Study Group]] in the 1970s to optimize patrolling effectiveness and resource utilization along the disputed and non-demarcarted [[China-India Border|China-India border]] at a time when border infrastructure was weak. Instead of patrolling the entire border which was more than 3000&nbsp;km long, troops would just be required to patrol up to the patrolling points. Over time, as infrastructure, resources and troop capability improved and increased, the patrolling points were revised. The concept of patrol points came about well before India officially accepted the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Patrolling points give a more realistic on–ground guide of India's limits of actual control.<ref name="IE China blocked">{{Cite web |last1=Subramanian |first1=Nirupama |last2=Kaushik |first2=Krishn |date=2020-09-20 |title=Month before standoff, China blocked 5 patrol points in Depsang |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/month-before-standoff-china-blocked-5-patrol-points-in-depsang-6602896/ |website=The Indian Express }}</ref><ref name="IE patrolling points">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Sushant |date=2020-07-13 |title=Patrolling Points: What do these markers on the LAC signify? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-do-patrolling-points-pps-on-lac-signify-6496840/ |website=The Indian Express }}</ref><ref name="FE patrolling points">{{Cite web |date=2020-07-09 |title=India-China LAC Standoff: Know what are patrolling points and what do they signify |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/india-china-lac-standoff-know-what-are-patrolling-points-and-what-do-they-signify/2018462/ |website=The Financial Express }}</ref>

Most patrolling points are close to the LAC. However, in the [[Depsang Plains|Depsang plains]], the patrolling points are said to remain well inside in LAC, despite having been revised a number of times. Former Army officers have said that patrolling points provide a better on-the-ground picture of India's limits of control.<ref name="IE China blocked" /> Based on location, the periodicity of visiting patrolling points can vary greatly from a few weeks to a couple of months.<ref name="FE patrolling points" /> In some cases, the patrolling points are well-known landmarks such as mountain peaks or passes. In other cases, the pattrolling points are numbered, PP-1, PP-2 etc.<ref name="IE patrolling points" /> There are over 65 patrolling points stretching from the [[Karakoram]] to [[Chumar]].<ref name="Hindu patrolling points">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2020-09-18 |title=LAC standoff {{!}} 10 patrolling points in eastern Ladakh blocked by Chinese People's Liberation Army, says senior official |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-china-lac-standoff-10-patrolling-points-in-eastern-ladakh-blocked-by-pla/article32642782.ece |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The patrolling points within the LAC and the patrol routes that join them are known as ''''limits of patrolling'''<nowiki/>'. Some army officers call this the "LAC within the LAC" or the '''actual LAC'''. The various patrol routes to the limits of patrolling are called the ''''lines of patrolling'''<nowiki/>'.<ref name="IE China blocked" />

During the [[2020 China–India skirmishes]], the patrolling points under dispute included PPs 10 to 13, 14, 15, 17, and 17A.<ref name="IE patrolling points" /> On 18 September 2020, an article in ''The Hindu'' wrote that "since April, Indian troops have been denied access to PPs numbered 9, 10, 11, 12, 12A, 13, 14, 15, 17, 17A."<ref name="Hindu patrolling points" />

=== List of numbered patrol points ===

India has 65 patrolling points in [[Geography of Ladakh|Eastern Ladakh]], from Karakoram Pass to [[Chumar]]. Patrolling points are not the limits of Indian claim, because Indian claim extends beyond these patrolling points. These patrolling points were set by India as the patrolling limits for the Indian Army to patrol and avoid confrontation with the PLA to maintain peace on LAC with China, which had proved to be a superior military power in 1962 border war.<ref name=cpp1>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/patrolling-points-do-not-define-the-indian-claim-in-east-ladakh-lac-101664165666451.html Patrolling points do not define the Indian claim in East Ladakh LAC], Hindustan Times, 26 Sept 2022.</ref> According to a 2020 report by an Indian police officer, India lost access to 26 of 65 patrolling points (PP 5–17 in Depsang Plains & Depsang Bulge including Samar Lungpa & Galwan, 24–32 in Changchenmo basin, 37 in [[Skakjung]] pasture, 51 & 52 in Demchok & Chardhing Nala, 62 in Chumar) in Ladakh due to being restricted by China.<ref name=cpp2>[https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2023/01/25/has-india-lost-26-of-65-patrolling-points-to-china-in-ladakh.html Has India lost 26 of 65 patrolling points  to China in Ladakh?], The Week, 25 Jan 2023</ref> India's opposition party Congress claims that the [[Narendra Modi]]-ruled government of India is covering up ''"territorial setbacks"'' in this area, while the ruling government has denied the charges as ''"politically motivated"''.<ref name=kak1>[https://thewire.in/security/ladakh-local-herders-clash-with-chinese-solders-over-access-to-grazing-land Ladakh: Local Herders Clash With Chinese Soldiers Over Access to Grazing Land], The Wire, 30 Jan 2024.</ref>

Listed by the mountain ranges.

* [[Karakoram range]]: two important subranges in disputed area are Changchenmo Range and Pangong Range as below.<ref name=chapk3>[https://theprint.in/opinion/if-india-loses-grip-on-kailash-range-pla-will-make-sure-we-never-get-it-back/542327/?amp If India loses grip on Kailash Range, PLA will make sure we never get it back], The Print, 12 November 2020.</ref>
** [[Changchenmo Range]] - a subrange of Karakoram range.<ref name=chapk3/>
*** PP1 to PP3 —  near the [[Karakoram Pass]]<ref name="DC India deploys">{{Cite web |date=2020-08-04 |agency=ANI |title=India deploys troops and tanks in Ladakh to counter Chinese deployment |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/040820/india-deploys-tank-regiments-in-ladakh-to-counter-chinese-troop-deploy.html |website=Deccan Chronicle }}</ref>
*** PP4 to PP9 — in [[Depsang Plains|Depsang plains]].
*** PP10 to PP13 including PP11A — in the [[Depsang Bulge]] from Y-Junction to Raki Nala (PP10), Y-Junction to Jivan Nala (PP13), and in between these two.<ref name="IE patrolling points" /><ref name="DC India deploys" />
*** PP14 — in [[Galwan Valley]],<ref name="IE patrolling points" /> a mutually agreed before zone has been created due to which India is unable to access this PP.<ref name=cpp3>[https://theprint.in/defence/5-maps-that-tell-you-all-you-want-to-know-about-india-vs-china-in-ladakh/507289/ 5 maps that tell you all you want to know about India vs China in Ladakh], The Print, 23 Sept 2020.</ref>
*** PP15 — on the watershed between [[Kugrang River|Kugrang]] and [[Galwan River|Galwan]] basins (called [[Jianan Pass]] by China).<ref>Lt. Gen. H. S. Panag, [https://theprint.in/opinion/india-chinas-stand-on-hot-springs-has-2-sticking-points-chang-chenmo-1959-claim-line/915614/ India, China’s stand on Hot Springs has 2 sticking points — Chang Chenmo, 1959 Claim Line] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702213746/https://theprint.in/opinion/india-chinas-stand-on-hot-springs-has-2-sticking-points-chang-chenmo-1959-claim-line/915614/ |date=2 July 2022 }}, The Print, 14 April 2022.</ref>
*** PP16, PP17 and PP17A — [[Kugrang River|Kugrang River Valley]], the last near [[Gogra, Ladakh|Gogra]]<ref name="Joshi Fig. 2">{{harvp|Joshi, Eastern Ladakh|2021|loc=p.11, Fig. 2}}</ref>
*** PP18 to PP23 — southeast of Gogra, from the Silung Barma (Chang Chenmo River tributary) towards [[Pangong Tso]]
** [[Pangong Range]], a sub range of Karakoram Range,<ref name=chapk3/> runs from Chushul along southern shore of Panggong Tso on India-China LAC.
*** PP24 to PP?
* [[Kailash Range]]
** PP35 to PP37 —  in Skakjung pasture & near China-administered [[Dumchele]].<ref name=kak1/> There have been several incursions by the China in this area. Due to the different perception of the border India and China and continuing Chinese incursions in [[Chushul]], [[Chumur]], [[Dungti]],<!--NOTE: retain the red link to encourage article creation.--> [[Phobrang]], and [[Demchok, Ladakh|Demchok]] has adversely affected the life of local [[Changpa]] nomadic herders.<ref name=kak1/><ref name=Stobdan>{{Cite web|last=Stobdan|first=P.|author-link=Phunchok Stobdan|date=26 April 2013|title=The Ladakh drift|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-ladakh-drift/1107668/2|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-30|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref>
* [[Demchok sector]]: Demchok and Chardhing Nala
** PP 38 to ?.
* Chumar Range: 
** PP61? in Nilung Nala.
** PP 62 to 65 in Chumar sector.<ref name=cpp4>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/chinese-troops-make-2-incursion-attempts-in-ladakh/story-UneBzvzGVV48rI3Qn3leJL.html Chinese troops make 2 incursion attempts in Ladakh], Hindustan Times, 26 Jul 2014.</ref>