A Chinese soldier, who had crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) close to the south of Pangong Tso in japanese Ladakh, was apprehended by the Indian Army within the early hours of Friday. The Army stated that the Chinese soldier is being handled laid down protocols. More particulars concerning the incident are awaited.
In an announcement releases on Saturday, the Indian Army stated: “During early hours of 08 January, 21, a Chinese soldier was apprehended on the Indian side of the LAC, in Ladakh, in area South of Pangong Tso lake. The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area.”
“Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops. The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid down procedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated. Further details are awaited,” the Army said.
South Pangong Tso, which is a part of the Chushul sub-sector, is likely one of the areas the place troops from each side are just some hundred meters aside. Indian forces in August-end had outwitted Chinese troops to occupy sure, beforehand unoccupied heights, which has allowed India to dominate the area.
Indian troops are positioned on peaks akin to Mukhpari and Gurung Hill, each of which overlook the Spanggur Gap, a strategically important 2 km-wide valley, that can be utilized to launch an offensive, as China had carried out in 1962. Some of the opposite heights that Indian troops have occupied for the reason that finish of August embrace Rezang La and Rechin La.
Senior authorities sources have advised The Indian Express up to now that Indian troops are positioned throughout the LAC at some factors within the Chushul sub-sector.
This is the second time {that a} Chinese soldier was apprehended for crossing the LAC in japanese Ladakh in the previous few months. A PLA soldier recognized as Corporal Wang Ya Long was apprehended within the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh on October 19 after he had strayed throughout the LAC, and the Army had obtained a request from the PLA about its whereabouts.
The soldier was returned to China two days later.
India and China are concerned in a navy standoff in japanese Ladakh for greater than eight months. Both sides have round 50,000 troops every within the space, together with extra air defence property, artillery and tanks.
Both sides have had eight rounds of senior commander-level discussions, the final of which occurred on November 6, however there has not been any breakthrough. While China has insisted that India first vacate the positions occupied within the Chushul sub-sector, India has been demanding that every one the friction factors in japanese Ladakh be mentioned collectively, and had been demanding for establishment ante, for all of the troops within the area, together with these on the frontlines, and within the depth areas, to be despatched again to their positions as of April 2020.
While Indian and Chinese diplomats met on December 18 for the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs, by which each side had agreed for the following spherical of discussions between the Corps Commanders, there was no date determined but, as a standard agenda has not been agreed upon.
But each side are in common contact via the hotlines on the bottom to keep away from any misunderstandings and misjudgments.
