New Delhi: In a major development, the Indian Army has occupied six new heights in the Eastern Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), amidst the border standoff with China.

Speaking on this remarkable feat, a government source informed news agency ANI that the Indian army occupied the new heights within just three weeks between August 29 and mid-September. The new heights include Recehen La, Rezang La, Mokhpari, Gurung Hill, Magar Hill, and one near Finger 4. This has put the Indian Army in a stronger position than its Chinese counterpart in the difficult mountainous terrain.

The heights, that are spread from the southern to the northern bank of Pangong Tso lake, have given India an edge over the Chinese in the ongoing conflict in specific areas, sources said.

They also said that the tussle between the two armies to occupy the dormant heights along the LAC began after August 29 when the Chinese tried to sit on heights south of Thakung area near the southern bank of Pangong Tso.

Sources said the foiling of Chinese Army's attempts in occupying the heights led to the firing of bullets in the air on at least three occasions from the northern bank of Pangong to the southern bank of the lake.

The sources clarified that the Black Top and the Helmet Top hill features are on the Chinese side of the LAC while the heights occupied by the Indian side are on the LAC in Indian territory.

As per reports, the operations of the Chinese forces are being closely monitored by Army Chief General Manoj Mukund,National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.

India and China have been engaged in major conflict near the Panging Tso lake and several other friction points from Sub Sector North to the Chushul area of Ladakh.

India also changed the rules of engagement of not using weapons during clashes with the Chinese after the PLA betrayed Indian soldiers in the Galwan valley and 20 Indian soldiers were killed there in June, this year.