Chinese Choppers Spotted In Ladakh, Reinforcements Upped on Both Sides Post Aggression

The Indian Air Force has said that these were regular training sorties and that the Ladakh airspace was not violated by Chinese.

Ladakh| On May 5 afternoon, two Chinese helicopters of the People’s Liberation Army were spotted in the Indian airspace in Eastern Ladakh, roughly at the same time when a senior army officer was airborne for a recce in Ladakh, sources said.

In response, the Indian Air Force scrambled its fighter Sukhoi jets from the Leh Airbase to patrol the area, sources added.

But, the Indian Air Force has said that these were regular training sorties and that the Ladakh airspace was not violated by Chinese.

Later that evening, as per sources, aggression stepped up between about 250 Indian and Chinese troopers near the LAC in Ladakh. The conflict was violent, and about 70 to 80 Indian soldiers were injured, they said.

Armies were brought in at both sides following the incident, sources said.

On May 10, Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the disputed India-China boundary near Naku La in north Sikkim, which led to minor injuries on both sides.

Around 150 soldiers on both sides were involved in an aggressive confrontation on Saturday that left four Indian soldiers and seven Chinese soldiers injured.

The Army, while confirming the incident said, “Aggressive behaviour and minor injuries on both sides took place. It was disengaged after dialogue and interaction at the local level.”

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The face-off was “temporary and short duration” in nature and was not a stand-off, according to the sources,

Naku La, more than 5,000 metres above Mean Sea Level, is a pass in North Sikkim.

The aggression took place when both Indian and Chinese troops were on regular patrolling.

India has emphasised the significance of keeping peace and tranquillity along the border with China as an essential for “smooth” development of overall ties between the two countries.