Indian Army refutes China's claim on firing near Pangong Tso: 'PLA troops fired in air'

Amid standoff at LAC between India and China, an incident of firing took place on Monday on Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh sector where troops of Indian Army and Chinese PLA have been engd in a stand-off for over three months, ANI quoting its sources said on Tuesday.

Indian Army in its official statement on Tuesday said that while India is committed to disengment and de-escalating situation on LAC, "China continues to undertake provocative activities to escalate." Denying China's claim, Army said that at " st has Indian Army transgressed across LAC or resorted to using any aggressive means, including firing."

Indian Army's official statement

"It is PLA that has been blatantly violating agreements and carrying out aggressive maeuvres, while engment at military, diplomatic and political level is in progress. In instant case on 07 September 2020, it was PLA troops who were attempting to close-in with one of our forward positions along LAC and when dissuaded by own troops, PLA troops fired a few rounds in air in an attempt to intimidate own troops. However, despite grave provocation, own troops exercised great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner," Army said in its statement.

" Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquillity, however, is also determined to protect national integrity and sovereignty at all costs. statement by Western atre Command is an attempt to mislead ir domestic and international audience," Army added.

'India again illegally crossed LAC': China

Earlier, Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) mouthpiece Global Times claimed that Indian troops "again illegally crossed Line of Actual Control (LAC) on Monday and outrously fired warning shots on Chinese border patrol soldiers who were about to negotiate." A Chinese military spokesperson added that Chinese troops were "forced to take countermeasures to stabilize situation."

" Indian troops crossed LAC at west section of China-India border, into Shenpao mountain region near south bank of Pangong Tso Lake," said Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili, a spokesperson of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western ater Command, in a statement.

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" Indian side's move seriously violated related agreements reached by both sides, stirred up tensions in region, and would easily cause misunderstandings and misjudgments, which is a serious military provocation and is very vile in nature," spokesperson said.

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"We demand Indian side to immediately stop dangerous moves, withdraw personnel who crossed LAC at once, strictly control frontline troops, seriously investigate and punish person who fired provocative shot and ensure similar incidents won't take place again," Zhang added.

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India-China LAC faceoff 

Tensions flared in eastern Ladakh after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in Sourn Bank of Pangong lake last week when two sides were engd in diplomatic and military talks to resolve festering border row. India occupied a number of strategic heights on sourn bank of Pangong lake and strengned its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in region to thwart any Chinese actions. China has strongly objected to India's move.

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