Army denies reports of detention of Indian soldiers by China

NEW DELHI: Denying the reports of detention of Indian troop by Chinese Army, Indian Army on Sunday issued a formal denial on the issue.

On Saturday, the Army had termed the media reports about detention of an Indian troop as “inaccurate”.

Amid tensions simmering in Ladakh at four places at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an Indian Army Spokesperson said, “There has been no detention of Indian soldiers at the borders. We categorically deny this. It only hurts national interests when media outlets publish unsubstantiated news.”

This comes after it was reported that Indian troops were held back briefly with weapons seized by the Chinese in Pangong Tso, a lake in the eastern Ladakh region at the Line of Actual Control where a scuffle took place on May 5 and 6.

The area has been tense since then with China enhancing its patrol boats in the lake that is under dispute.

Other than Pangong Tso, there are three other spots where the Chinese have done a troop build up, pitched tents, brought in heavy vehicles and machinery to enhance their fortifications across the Galwan valley in the Akshai Chin region.

Other than Pangong Tso, that is extremely sensitive, the other places that are volatile in wake of the recent escalation are Trig Heights, Demchok and Chumar in Ladakh which forms western sector of the India-China frontier.

While the disengagement took place in Eastern Ladakh after troops came to blows on May 5 and were involved in a faceoff till the morning of May 6 when troops from both sides clashed leaving several injured.

A close watch is being maintained in Pangong Tso and the Galwan Valley region where the Chinese have enhanced deployment and have been involved in aggressive posturing. The faceoffs were triggered by road construction activities and infrastructure development by the Indian side, which the Chinese-side had objected to.

This was a connecting track to the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road built last year, which is considered critical for Indian troop mobilisation. India has also brought in reinforcements and enhanced defences close to the areas of standoff.

There have been several rounds of talks between military commanders on the ground but there has been no breakthrough. Indian Army Chief General M M Naravane visited Leh amid the growing tension in eastern Ladakh after frequent confrontations between Indian and Chinese since May 5.

Gen Naravane made an instant visit to Leh on Friday and was back the same day after meeting top commanders and reviewing the situation. The army chief’s visit came a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to China’s allegation of Indian troops entering their territory stating that it was the Chinese-side who were blocking Indian patrols. (AGENCIES)