Chinese incursion reported in Arunachal, Indian Army briefly detains PLA soldiers

New Delhi: Chinese troops crossed over to the Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh near Yangtse in Tawang sector last week, and some of them were detained by the Army for a few hours, before the issue was resolved by established mechanisms, reports said.

Indian Army has so far not given any official confirmation of the incident.

Sources in the defence establishment however said that India and China have different perceptions of the Line of Actual Control.

"The India - China border has not been formally demarcated and hence there is a difference in perception of LAC between the countries. Peace and Tranquillity in these areas of differing perceptions has been possible by adherence to existing agreements and protocols between the two countries," sources said.

Both sides undertake patrolling activities up to their line of perception, said the source, adding that whenever patrols of both sides physically meet, the situation is managed according to established protocols and mechanisms agreed by both sides.

"Physical engagement can last for a few hours prior to disengaging as per mutual understanding. However, there has been no damage to defences," said the source.

According to reports, PLA soldiers entered the Indian side, and were detained by the Indian soldiers. The matter was resolved at the local military commander level.

The incident comes in the backdrop of ongoing stand-off between India and China in Ladakh, and concerns over increased incidents of transgression by PLA troops.

As per data given by the Defence Ministry in the Lok Sabha in 2019, there were 326 transgressions along the LAC by the PLA in 2018, 426 transgressions in 2017, and 273 transgressions in 2016. According to government data in 2019 there were over 600 such incidents.