“It was the PLA troops who fired in the air”: Indian Army issues statement on situation in Eastern Ladakh

After the Chinese media came out saying that Indian forces resorted to firing ‘warning shots’, the Indian Army has come out with a clarification saying that it was the Chinese who had fired in the air to intimidate.

In its statement, the Indian Army said that at no stage, the Indian forces crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) or used aggressive means including firing.

“It is the PLA that has been blatantly violating agreements and carrying out aggressive manoeuvres, while engagement at military, diplomatic and political level is in progress.”, said Col. Aman Anand.

“In the instant case on 07 September 2020, it was the PLA troops who were attempting to close-in with one of our forward positions along the LAC and when dissuaded by own troops, PLA troops fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate own troops. However, despite the grave provocation, own troops exercised great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner.”, the Indian Army said in the statement adding that it is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility and is also determined to protect the integrity and sovereignty ‘at all costs’.

It also said that the statement issued by the Western Theatre Command of the Chinese PLA, was an attempt to mislead their domestic and international audience.