Chaos gripped the Srinagar-Ladakh highway on Monday following the suspension of civilian traffic, which coincided with a fresh stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Pangong Tso lake area in eastern Ladakh.

Hundreds of vehicles, many carrying essential supplies to Ladakh from Manigam to Sonamarg in Ganderbal adjoining Kargil, remained stuck.

Some media reports claimed the road was closed to civilians owing to provocative military movement by the Chinese troops and would be exclusively used for military purposes.

Ganderbal police chief Khalil Poswal denied that the road was closed to civilian traffic because of Ladakh developments. “Traffic was suspended because of rain, but later was cleared and the vehicles are now on way (to Kargil). There is absolutely no government order (suspending civilian traffic),” Poswal told this paper.

The government has in recent months issued several controversial orders, but refused to link them to the developments in Ladakh.

In June, weeks after the Ladakh crisis erupted, the government directed stocking up of LPG cylinders for two months and vacating school buildings in Ganderbal for the deployment of security forces.

In Ladakh, former Chushul councillor Sonam Tsering said mobile connections were suspended afresh in border areas on Sunday following fresh provocation by the Chinese army. Chushul is the nearest human habitation from the site of fresh confrontation, but still a long distance away.

“Mobile connectivity remained suspended in these areas for months but was restored some 15-20 days back. Yesterday, connectivity was again suspended,” Tsering said.

“The site of fresh trouble is a long distance from our village and no civilians live in a vast area near the place. Reports reaching us in Leh (town) is that there is no panic in the area.”

Tsering said more troops could be seen heading towards Pangong Tso area from Leh on Monday.

Kargil politician Sajjad Hussain said the fresh confrontation and reports of suspension of civilian traffic on Srinagar-Kargil road had triggered panic in the district.

“We are in a lockdown from many months and are running short of essentials. Earlier too, during the pandemic, going to Kashmir was like going to another country as only a few people with permissions could travel because of Covid-19 restrictions,” he said.

“If the road is closed, people, mostly poor, will suffer more hardships,” he added.