India ‘apprehends’ Chinese soldier in disputed border area

The Indian Defense Ministry has reported taking a Chinese soldier into custody near the Demchok area of Ladakh, which is disputed by the two nations.

The soldier, identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long, had strayed across the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border between India and China, the Indian ministry said. He was provided with medical assistance, food and warm clothing, and will be returned to the Chinese side after formalities are completed.

Later on Monday, a spokesperson for China’s military, Colonel Zhang Shuili, said the soldier went missing while helping a herdsman find his yak on Sunday, and urged India to keep its “promise” and return the detained service member.

In a statement carried by the Global Times, he said: “We hope India will fulfil its promise and return the person and work with China to implement the consensus reached at the 7th round of military-diplomatic talks and to safeguard peace and stability of the border areas.”

The territorial dispute between China and India, which stretches back for decades, escalated this year with a series of border clashes and other incidents reported. One of the more serious violent clashes left 20 Indian troops killed in the Galwan Valley in mid-June. China reportedly lost personnel as well, but the exact death toll was not officially disclosed.

If you like this story, share it with a friend!