NEW DELHI: After the
Indian army cited another attempt by Chinese troops to unilaterally change the status quo in the
Pangong Tso area on the night of August 29-30, China accused India of “illegally” trespassing the
LAC
on Monday at the southern bank of the lake and near the Reqin mountain. The
PLA accused India of conducting “flagrant provocations” and said in a statement that China was taking “necessary countermeasures” to deal with the situation.
In a statement, Zhang Shuili, spokesperson for the
Western Theater Command
of the PLA, urged India to immediately withdraw its troops and avoid any escalation. “We solemnly demand the Indian side to immediately withdraw its troops that are illegally trespassing the border line, strictly control and restrain its frontline troops and earnestly honor its commitments, so as to avoid further escalation in the situation,” he said, adding that China will closely follow the developments at LAC to “resolutely” safeguard its territorial sovereignty.
The Chinese foreign ministry too denied that Chinese troops at any stage had violated the LAC. Indian government sources said though that the latest “provocation” by China followed its own admission after several rounds of talks that “positive progress” had been made in the military and diplomatic dialogue and sought to undo the consensus reached for early and complete disengagement.