Chinese troops trespass on eve of special talks

On the eve of India-China special representative talks on boundary resolution, troopers of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) transgressed into Chumar area of Eastern Ladakh, resulting in a two-hour face-off with the Indian troops on February 9.

On the eve of India-China special representative talks on boundary resolution, troopers of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) transgressed into Chumar area of Eastern Ladakh, resulting in a two-hour face-off with the Indian troops on February 9.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon met state councillor Yang Jiechi in the Capital on Monday for the 17th round of SR dialogue with a mandate to define 3,488 kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries. The talks end on Tuesday.

While India and Chinese foreign offices have off-late converged on stabilisation of South Asia including countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, the Chinese PLA continues to posture on the LAC with Chumar being specifically targeted with frequent incursions.

Government sources said that seven PLA troopers transgressed near patrol point 62 in Chumar sector around 9.40am with Indian Army troopers immediately engaging them in a face-off. Although the Chinese troopers seemingly withdrew to their original positions in the next 20 minutes, they returned with 11 more troopers joining their comrades. The Indian Army reacted by sending in a large contingent even as Chinese PLA ran circles on horseback trying to emphasise claim on the Indian territory.

“The face-off ended around noon after both sides engaged in banner drill reminding the other that they there transgressing into their territory. Chumar has been the site of frequent transgressions by the PLA since June 2012 and was the bone of contention during the April 2013 Depsang incursions,” said a senior official.