A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier wasapprehended after he crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh andentered the Indian territory, the Indian Army has stated.
"During early hours of January 8, a Chinese soldier wasapprehended on the Indian Side of the LAC in Ladakh in area South of Pangonglake," the Army said.
It further stated that the PLA soldier had transgressedacross the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in thisarea.
Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC sincefriction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forwardconcentration by Chinese troops.
"The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid downprocedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are beinginvestigated," the Indian Army stated.
It was on August 28, 2020 and August 29, 2020, Indian troopsin a precautionary deployment, pre-empted Chinese expansionist designs andoccupied heights along the southern bank of Pangong Tso.
The soldier on Friday was caught transgressing the sameregion.
Last week, the Defence Ministry in its year end review hadstated that PLA escalated the situation at the LAC in Eastern Ladakh by theutilisation of "unorthodox weapons and amassing large number oftroops".
The Ministry that Chinese made unilateral and provocativeactions to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the LAC.
Thereafter India responded to in a firm and non-escalatoryway, ensuring the sanctity of claims in Eastern Ladakh.
India has categorically conveyed China that any attempt tounilaterally alter the status quo at the border is unacceptable and that Indiais determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
India and China are engaged in a nine-month-long standoff atthe LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
Despite several levels of dialogue, there has not been anybreakthrough and the deadlock continues.