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Tuesday, February 11, 2025
HomeWorldAsiaChina claimed Indian troops fired 'provocative shots'

China claimed Indian troops fired ‘provocative shots’

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Daily US Times: China has claimed that Indian troops of illegally crossing a disputed Himalayan border and firing “provocative” warning shots at patrolling soldiers.

China’s military said its soldiers were “forced to take countermeasures” but did not clear what they were.

India rejected the allegations and further accused Chinese soldiers of firing in the air during the face-off in the high-altitude Ladakh region.

Relations between Beijing and New Delhi have steadily deteriorated in recent months.

India’s military said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had tried to approach a forward Indian position and “fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate own troops”.

The statement from India’s military said: “At no stage has the Indian army transgressed across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) or resorted to use of any aggressive means, including firing.”

If allegations of firing is true, that would be the first time in 45 years that shots were fired there.

A 1996 agreement between India and China bars the use of explosives and guns from the Line of Actual Control, as the disputed border is known, although soldiers have clashed there before.

The Indian troops had “illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) into the Shenpao mountain region near the south bank of Pangong Tso Lake”, according to Chinese state media outlet the Global Times, quoting senior colonel Zhang Shuili, a spokesperson of the PLA.

Mr Zhang said India’s move “seriously violated related agreements reached by both sides, stirred up tensions in the region… and is very vile in nature”.

But the statement issued by the Indian army added that the army was “committed to maintaining peace”, adding that it was also “determined to protect national integrity and sovereignty at all costs”.

The Chinese army spokesperson also called on the Indian side to “immediately stop dangerous moves, withdraw personnel who crossed the LAC… and punish the personnel who fired the provocative shot”.

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