Indian Army to Probe Chinese Incursion: Reports

Following reports of Chinese incursion into Indian territory, Lt Gen PC Bhardwaj, the Indian Army’s Northern commander, will visit the Leh-based 14 Corps headquarters over the next few days to confirm the reported incident, said media reports quoting sources.

Reports further said that in the next meeting between Indian and Chinese officials, matter would be taken up for discussion.

Last weeks, it was reported that Chinese troops intruded almost 1.5 kms into Indian Territory near Mount Gya, recognized both by Indian and China as international border, and painted the word “China” in Cantonese on the boulders and rocks there with red spray paint.

The incursions were reported from the area generally referred in the Chumar sector in east of Leh.

Notwithstanding the incidents of Chinese aggression, Ministry of External Affairs today described as “most peaceful” the boundary with China and said these “incursions” will be certainly sorted out. “Let me go on record to say that this (border with China) has been one of the most peaceful boundaries that we have had as compared to other boundary lines with other countries,” Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna told reporters.

Also known as “fair princess of snow”, the 22, 420 ft Mount Gya is located at the tri-junction of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. In British era, boundary was demarcated and is regarded as International border by the two countries.

According to reports, on July 31 the border patrol found the red paint markings on various rocks and boulders along the Zulung La (pass). Later, Indian soldiers erased the text, writing “India” instead.

This is not the first such reported intrusion. On June 21 Chinese helicopters had violated the Indian air space along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region. The Chinese troops also reportedly dropped expired tinned food packets in the area.

Some people blame the problem of Chinese incursions on lack of infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign ministry on Monday said reports of yet another Chinese incursion into India are groundless.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said: “Reports of any incursion into India are groundless and based on incidents which never happened.”

The statement further claimed that Beijing seeks a fair and mutually understandable solution through a peaceful and friendly negotiation between both the Asian giants.