‘No Shots Fired, No Transgression Across LAC’: India After China’s Claims
The India Army on Tuesday denied that it crossed the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh or fired any warning shots.
China had accused India of “illegally crossing” the LAC and firing warning shots near the south bank of Pangong Tso Lake.
The Army officials said that China continues to undertake provocative activities to escalate the situation in eastern Ladakh region.
“At no stage has the Indian Army transgressed across the LAC or resorted to use of any aggressive means, including firing. It is the PLA that has been blatantly violating agreements and carrying out aggressive manoeuvres, while engagement at military, diplomatic and political level is in progress,” the Indian Army said.
A Chinese military spokesperson had earlier said the Indian troops “illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control on Monday and outrageously fired warning shots on Chinese border patrol soldiers who were about to negotiate.”
Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili, spokesperson of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command, added that Chinese troops took the “countermeasures to stabilize the situation”.
In its response, India said: “In the instant case on 7 September 2020, it was the PLA troops who were attempting to close-in with one of our forward positions along the LAC and when dissuaded by own troops, PLA troops fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate own troops. However, despite the grave provocation, own troops exercised great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner.”
Tensions have flared up again in eastern Ladakh after China’s unsuccessful attempt to occupy Indian territory in the southern bank of Pangong lake.
India occupied a number of strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong lake and strengthened its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese actions. China has strongly objected to India’s move. However, India has maintained that the strategic heights are on its side of the LAC.
India has also rushed in additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region following China’s transgression attempts.
Following China’s fresh attempts to change the status quo in the southern bank of Pangong lake, India has further bolstered its military presence in the region.
(With agency Inputs)
