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File photo of the Indian Border Security Force guard near the Indo-China border
China has accused Indian troops of illegally crossing the disputed border and firing “provocative” warning shots at patrolling troops.
A military spokesman said the Chinese guards were “forced to take countermeasures”, although it was not clear who they were.
It would be the first time in 45 years that shots were fired there, which broke the agreement banning the use of weapons.
Relations between the two countries have been steadily deteriorating in recent months.
According to a Global Times state media report, Indian troops “illegally crossed the Act of Quail Control (LAC) in the Shenpao Mountain area on the southern shore of Pangong Tso Lake,” citing senior Colonel Zhang Shuili, a spokesman for the People’s Party. Liberation Army.
Mr Zhang said India’s move was a serious breach of the relevant agreements reached by both sides, created tensions in the region … and was very weak.
Indian officials have not yet commented.
An agreement reached between the two countries in 1996 banned the use of guns and explosives from the Line of Actual Control, as the disputed border is known, although there have been conflicts before troops.
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The incident is reported to have taken place near Pangong Lake
A PLA spokesperson also called on the Indian side to “immediately stop the dangerous move, withdraw the employees who crossed the LAC … and punish the employees who fired provocative shots.”
The tensions erupted a day after Indian troops warned Chinese officials about reports that five Indian nationals had been abducted by Chinese troops from an area near the disputed border.
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Tensions escalated in June when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash with Chinese troops. Local media reported at the time that the soldiers were “shot.”
In August Gust, India accused China of inciting military tensions on the border twice in a week. Both allegations were denied by China, which said the border period was India’s fault.
The line of actual control is weak. The presence of rivers, lakes and snowcaps means the line can change.
Soldiers on both sides – representing the world’s two largest armies – come face to face at many points. India has accused China of sending thousands of troops to the Galvan Valley in Ladakh, saying China occupies 38,000 square kilometers (14,700 square miles) of its territory. Over the past three decades, several rounds of negotiations have failed to resolve border disputes.
When India suffered a humiliating defeat in 1962, the two countries have fought only one war so far in 1962.
