Following a key agreement between India and China, the two countries have begun troop disengagement at the two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh. Army sources said on Friday that this process is likely to be completed by October 28-29.
The agreement was arrived at only for these two friction points, and "talks are still underway" for other areas, they said.
The sources said that patrolling will begin at these points once the disengagement, which began two days ago, is completed. Both sides will move their respective troops and dismantle temporary structures.
Eventually, they added, the areas and patrolling status is expected to be moved back to the pre-April 2020 level.
The patrolling will be done by armed personnel and structures to be dismantled including temporary sheds and tents, a source said.
The process follows the agreement firmed up between the two countries on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, a major breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff.
The agreement framework was "signed" first at the diplomatic level and then military-level talks took place, the Army sources said, adding the nitty-gritty of the agreement was worked in the Corps Commander-level talks, which was "signed on Monday", the source added.
Adhering to agreements between the two sides, Indian troops have begun to pull back equipment to rear locations in these areas.
It was not immediately known if there will be an act of symbolism to mark the completion of the disengagement at these two friction points as major unresolved issues persist in these two places.
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