
The Chinese military was "forced to take countermeasures" to maintain stability at the China-India border after Indian troops trespassed via the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake on Monday and fired warning shots at Chinese border patrols, said Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili, spokesman for the People's Liberation Army Western Theater Command, in a statement on early Tuesday.
It is the second time Indian troops violated the Chinese border in eastern Ladakh of China's Tibet autonomous region in the last two weeks. In the second incident, the PLA personnel were about to negotiate with the Indian side when they were fired upon by Indian soldiers, Zhang said.
A source in New Delhi confirmed the incident without giving any details. It is unclear if there are any casualties. The incident came three days after defense ministers from both countries met in Moscow and agreed to de-escalate the border situation.
Zhang called the shots a serious violation of relevant agreements between the two countries and a "serious military provocation" that has escalated tension further and could easily lead to misunderstandings. As a result, the Chinese border troops "were forced to take necessary countermeasures to get the situation under control," he said.
Zhang urged the Indian side to immediately stop its dangerous actions, pull back troops that have entered Chinese territory, strictly restrain the behavior of its front-line servicemen, and seriously investigate and punish the person who fired on the Chinese soldiers to ensure similar incidents do not occur again.
The PLA Western Theater Command will uphold its duties and missions to staunchly safeguard national sovereignty, he added.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses