'Neither Transgressed Across The LAC, Nor Resorted To Firing': Indian Army Rejects Chinese PLA's Allegations

The Indian Army on Tuesday (8 September) rejected allegations by Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that the former crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and fired warning shots on the Chinese troops.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Indian Army said despite the talks between both the countries for disengagement and de-escalation of situation on the LACd, the Chinese Army continues to "undertake provocative activities to escalate".

"While India is committed to disengagement & de-escalating situation on the LAC, China continues to undertake provocative activities to escalate. At no stage has the Indian Army transgressed across the LAC or resorted to use of any aggressive means, including firing," Indian Army was quoted as saying by ANI.

The Indian Army said that it was the PLA that has been "blatantly violating agreements and carrying out aggressive manoeuvres, while engagement at military, diplomatic and political level is in progress".

"On 7 September 2020, it was the PLA troops who were attempting to close-in with one of our forward positions along the LAC and when dissuaded by own troops, PLA troops fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate own troops," the Indian Army said in the statement.

However, despite the grave provocation, own troops exercised great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner, it added.

The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility, however is also determined to protect national integrity and sovereignty at all costs, the statement said.

"The statement by the Western Theatre Command is an attempt to mislead their domestic and international audience," it said.

It should be noted that In a statement released late on Monday (7 September), the Western Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army had accused Indian troops deployed south of the Pangong Lake of firing “warning shots”.

“Indian troops illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control, outrageously fired warning shots on Chinese border patrol soldiers who were about to negotiate,” a report in China’s hawkish state-owned propaganda outlet Global Times said.

The PLA statement called the action allegedly taken by Indian soldiers in the area a “serious military provocation” and “very vile in nature”.

China said Indian troops had “illegally crossed the LAC and entered the south bank of Pangong Lake and the Shenpao mountain area”.