An “aggressive” China has deployed additional troops and tanks at multiple friction points in Ladakh since the latest confrontation on the Pangong Lake’s south bank in late August, sources in the security establishment said.

With both countries sticking to their positions during Friday night’s one-to-one meeting between their defence ministers, disengagement appears “difficult” for now, defence ministry officials and military veterans suggested.

“High-resolution satellite images suggest that the People’s Liberation Army has further strengthened its position at the standoff points. They are building more military structures, besides deploying more soldiers and tanks,” an Intelligence Bureau official said.

A veteran said: “What we are noticing is heightened territorial aggression by China although it has been talking about carrying forward the dialogue for a complete disengagement from the standoff points. Their actions do not match their words.”