Chinese soldier apprehended in Ladakh’s Demchok sector, in army custody

A Chinese soldier has been apprehended by security forces in the Chumar-Demchok area of Ladakh and taken into custody by the Indian Army, officials said on Monday.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier, identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long, was apprehended in the Demchok sector of eastern Ladakh on Monday after he had strayed across the Line of Control (LAC), the Indian Army said in a statement. They said he might have entered Indian territory inadvertently and will be returned to the Chinese army as per established protocol after following due procedure.

According to the Indian Army, the Chinese soldier has been provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes “to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions.”

The Indian Army added that it has received a request from PLA about the whereabouts of the missing soldier. “As per established protocols, he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities,” the statement said.

India and China have been involved in a border standoff at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh since May. Tension escalated on June 19 when 20 Indian soldiers were killed during a clash with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley. There have been seven rounds of military and diplomatic talks between the two countries to resolve the standoff so far.

India and China are expected to hold the eighth round of military-diplomatic talks next week on disengagement in the Ladakh theatre. Senior officials said have said that both the sides have decided to keep the dialogue channels open at both the military commander level and diplomatic levels. The talks are also aimed at preventing any vertical escalation at the friction points in case of an accident or the aggressiveness of an individual commander.