Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): The situation on Eastern Ladakh border has once again turned volatile, with India saying today that the Chinese troops tried to close-in forward positions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) yesterday and fired a few rounds to intimidate Indian soldiers.
The Army said that despite the grave provocation, the Indian troops exercised a great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the Army said that while India is committed to disengagement and de-escalating the situation on the LAC, China continues to undertake provocative activities to escalate.
“At no stage has the Indian Army transgressed across the LAC or resorted to use of any aggressive means, including firing,” it added.
The statement further said that 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.
“In the instant case on 07 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,” the statement said, adding that however, despite the grave provocation, own troops exercised great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner.
It said that while Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility, it is also determined to protect national integrity and sovereignty at all costs. “The statement by the Western Theatre Command is an attempt to mislead their domestic and international audience,” the ministry added.
-RJV
