A Chinese soldier was apprehended by the Indian Army in the Demchok sector of eastern Ladakh on Monday, 19 October, after he had "strayed across the LAC (Line of Actual Control)".
The soldier has been identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long and "has been provided medical assistance, including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climactic conditions," the Indian Army said in a statement.
Pointing out that a request has been received from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) about the whereabouts of the missing soldier, the Indian Army said that he will be returned to Chinese officials as per established protocols at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after the completion of formalities.
Continuing India-China Standoff in Eastern Ladakh
The incident comes amid the continuing standoff between India and China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, with several rounds of talks – both at the military and diplomatic levels – having failed to break the deadlock.
Last week, the Indian Army said that the two sides had sincere, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on disengagement along the LAC, after top military representatives from the two sides came together to discuss the situation in eastern Ladakh on 12 October.
The meeting was the seventh round of deliberations between both the countries at the Corps Commander-level and took place on the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo border personnel meeting point.
The tensions between the countries had peaked in June, when 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives during the clashes at Galwan Valley.
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