New Delhi: The Army Saturday said it had apprehended a Chinese soldier of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the southern banks of the Pangong Tso after he transgressed into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Army said the soldier, who was apprehended on 8 January, is being dealt with according to laid down procedures, and the circumstances under which he crossed the LAC are being investigated. Further details are awaited.
Defence sources said commanders from both sides have spoken to each other on the issue.
The development comes amid the first ever winter stand-off by both countries in the icy heights of the southern banks.
Also read: Army well entrenched to counter any misadventure by China in Ladakh, says defence ministry
India-China tensions
The Army underlined that troops from either side are deployed along the LAC following the friction that erupted last year due to the unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops.
India had occupied several features along the southern banks of the Pangong Tso on the intervening night of 29-30 August last year.
The move, which gives the Indian side a dominating view of China’s Moldi garrison, had surprised the Chinese, who tried to launch a counter attack but were successfully repulsed by Indian troops, which included men from specialised units of the Army.
Both countries are scheduled to hold the next round of Commander-level talks to ease the current tension that erupted in early May, 2020. The last round of Corps Commander talks was held on 6 November.
Top government sources had in December told ThePrint that the Army, Navy and the Air Force were asked to stay alert and firm, and ruled out any possibility of a premature withdrawal from the Kailash ranges on the southern bank of Pangong Tso where India has the upper hand over China.
The sources also said the stand off could last longer than anticipated and the situation was expected to simmer even if a temporary disengagement took place.
It is understood that while Corps Commanders will continue to meet, a final solution will only come after an understanding is reached at the highest political level of the two countries.
Also read: India has forced a stalemate in Ladakh. That’s a defeat for China