China Claims That The Soldier Who Crossed LAC Was Helping Local Herdsmen Find A Yak And Got Lost

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has claimed that its Corporal apprehended and identified by the Indian Army as Wang Ya Long had got lost in the India-China border areas while helping herdsmen retrieve a yak, reports The Hindu.

“China hopes that India will hand over soon the Chinese soldier who got lost in China-India border areas on the evening of October 18 when helping local herdsmen retrieve a yak at their request,” Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili, spokesperson for the PLA’s Western Theater Command reportedly said in a statement.

The PLA has said in a statement that it had informed the Indian counterparts right after the incident and added that the Indian side had promised that it would help and return the soldier in a timely fashion.

The Indian Army had earlier stated that Corporal Long will be returned to the Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after the completion of formalities. The Chinese Corporal has also been provided with medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him from harsh climatic conditions.

The development comes at a time when the two armies are engaged in a highly escalated and volatile situation, with record deployment of troops, arms and ammunition in the region. Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) remain in a state of alertness to thwart off any possible misadventures by the Chinese side to usurp Indian territory.