New Delhi, India (CU)_ A Chinese soldier who had been arrested in Ladakh last week on the Indian side of the LAC (Line of Actual Control) was handed back to China. At the Chushul-Moldo meeting today, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier was handed over to China.
The statement from an official explained about the arrest of the Chinese soldier. He said, “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”. The official further added, “The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid down procedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated”.
A news agency reported that China Military Online, a news portal operated by the military’s official PLA Daily, announced on Saturday about the missing of the Chinese border guard. When the Chinese side conveyed the news to India, India responded saying they had found the soldier near the border, adding that Beijing called for his swift return. This is the second event in the last few months that a Chinese soldier having strayed across the LAC. The same incident happened in October too when another PLA soldier named Wang Ya Long crossed the borders and was captured by Indian armies in the Demchok sector of eastern Ladakh.
India and China have been locked in a standstill since May last year at the LAC, the de-facto boundary between the two countries. In June, tensions aroused when the Chinese soldiers killed twenty Indian soldiers during the attack in the line of duty at the Galwan Valley. To resolve the deadlock, several rounds of military and diplomatic discussions between the two sides were carried out. As tensions continue, the two countries have pushed numerous troops and arms into the high-altitude area since March.
In December, they decided to continue working to ensure the complete withdrawal of troops at the earliest at all pressure points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. However, in spite of several rounds of diplomatic and military talks, there has been no improvement to date.
