New Delhi: A PLA soldier was apprehended by the Indian Army in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh on Monday after he had “strayed” across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an incident that comes amid a massive deployment of troops by the two militaries in the region following the border stand-off.
The Indian Army said the soldier, a Corporal in the Chinese PLA, has been identified as Wang Ya Long and he will be returned to the Chinese military at the Chushul-Moldo border point after completion of formalities.
Government sources said it may take a couple of days to send the soldier back. “A PLA soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long was apprehended in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh on October 19 after he had strayed across the LAC,” the Army said in a statement.
A Chinese corporal is equivalent to a Naik in the Indian Army. “The PLA soldier has been provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions,” it added.
“A request has also been received from the PLA about the whereabouts of the missing soldier. As per established protocols, he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul–Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities,” the Army said.
Sources said the PLA soldier has been kept at an Army formation and he was interrogated on how he crossed over to the Indian side.
The incident will not cause new conflicts in the border areas, and solving the matter will also signal new progress in the bilateral negotiations, the sources said. (PTI)
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