Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

India frees Chinese soldier who strayed along disputed line

The Indian army says it returned a Chinese soldier who had strayed into the Indian side in the remote region where the two countries are locked in a monthslong military standoff

Via AP news wire
Wednesday 21 October 2020 10:53 BST
India China Military Standoff
India China Military Standoff (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Indian army said Wednesday that it returned a Chinese soldier who had strayed into the Indian side in the remote Ladakh region, where the two countries are locked in a monthslong military standoff.

The soldier Cpl. Wang Ya Long from the People’s Liberation Army was apprehended inside the Indian-controlled Demchok area on Monday, an Indian army statement said earlier this week.

A Chinese army said in a statement on its website that the soldier was returned to the Chinese border troops early Wednesday.

In September, China had freed five Indians after they strayed into the Chinese side of the disputed border. India said the five were hunters from a state bordering China.

The standoff between the Asian giants in early May erupted into a fierce brawl, and worsened into hand-to-hand combat with soldiers using clubs, stones and fists on June 15, leaving 20 Indian troops dead. China is believed to also have suffered casualties, but has not given any details.

The countries have held a series of political, military and diplomatic talks to end the standoff.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in