evidence: While there have been minor PLA transgressions in the sector over the past few years - the last one in July - the scale was much larger, leading to concern in New Delhi given continuing border tensions in eastern Ladakh. Government officials confirmed that Chinese soldiers along with military horses had come to the grazing ground near Barahoti, crossing the Tun Jun La Pass. [...] The Barahoti ridge lies north of the Nanda Devi National Park and troops trek to it from the last motorable point. The ridge is connected to Joshimath, where the Indian Army and ITBP have camps to counter any major PLA operations. The ITBP monitors the nearly 350 km border in Uttarakhand which is part of the Line of Actual Control that divides India and China. A home ministry official said that Indian and Chinese perceptions about LAC differ, which lead to frequent incursions in the area. An ITBP spokesperson, when contacted, refused to comment. Officials acknowledged that activities of PLA troops have gone up in the region in the past few months. "Earlier also several attempts were made by PLA to infiltrate the Barahoti area. Additional troops have been deployed in the central sector now," said another official. Intelligence agencies have also flagged Chinese activity at the air base near Barahoti. The PLA has also substantially increased its defence across the LAC in the region since the border confrontation in Ladakh last year.