India and China have begun pulling back troops from the tense Himalayan border of Ladakh, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a brawl with Chinese troops last month, Indian government sources said on Monday.
"Disengagement with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has started as per agreed terms in the corps commander's meeting," a government source said, referring to the high-level military meeting between the sides that was held last Wednesday.
Indian officials said the Chinese troops were seen removing tents and structures at patrolling point 14, near the Galwan Valley, where the deadly clash took place.
Broadcaster NDTV reported that both sets of troops had withdrawn by at least 1 kilometre in the valley and a buffer zone had been created between the two sides.
Indian officials however declined to give specific distances. "Confirmation [of the distance] after verification," the official said.
New Delhi was waiting to see if this was a "lasting, genuine disengagement," NDTV reported, and whether the disengagement would cover other disputed areas in Ladakh.
An ongoing stand-off between Chinese and Indian forces in the high-altitude region turned deadly on June 15, resulting in deaths of Indian soldiers at Galwan Valley and escalating bilateral tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
China has not disclosed its casualties in the clash, that Indian military sources estimate at over 40, in the worst border confrontation between the Asian giants in 45 years.
