Chinese Soldier Held After He Strayed Into Ladakh, To Be Sent Back

A Chinese soldier was caught by Indian forces in Ladakh after he strayed across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the army said on Monday. The soldier, identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long, was caught in the Chumar-Demchok area.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier will be returned to the Chinese Army "as per established protocol after following due procedure", the army said in a statement.

The statement said the soldier had been provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes "to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions".

A request had been received from the Chinese army about the whereabouts of the missing soldier, the army said, adding that he would be returned to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after the formalities were completed.

Some reports suggested that the soldier was carrying civil and military documents when he was caught.

Indian and Chinese soldiers have been locked in a confrontation at the LAC, or the de-facto border between the countries, in Ladakh since May. Tension peaked in June when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty in a clash with the Chinese at Galwan Valley. Last month, shots were fired in the air more than once as the two armies came face-to-face at Pangong Tso.

There have been several rounds of military and diplomatic talks between the two sides to resolve the standoff but the Chinese have refused to adhere to agreements on restoring status quo.