A day after its soldier was apprehended by the Indian Army in eastern Ladakh, China on Tuesday appealed for his early release. The two sides are engaged in a face-off for the past five months in Ladakh. The Indian agencies interrogated the Chinese corporal and have not found anything suspicious so far. He is likely to be handed over to the Chinese in a few days after thorough questioning.
Giving this information here on Tuesday, sources said Corporal Wang Ya was looked after well by the Indian Army after he was caught on Monday morning in Demchok area. He was provided medical aid and warm clothes to protect him from extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions. The Corporal is an armourer in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and hails from Shangxizhen town of central Zhejiang province, China. He was carrying his identity card at the time of his capture, they added.
Taking up his case, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in Beijing on Tuesday, “We hope Indian side will keep its promise and return the missing soldier as soon as possible, and work with China to promote the consensus reached at 7th round of India-China commander-level talks.”
Similar appeal was made by the Chinese Army on Monday evening. It said the Chinese military hopes India will make good on its pledge to swiftly return a Chinese soldier found lost along their mountainous border where the sides have been locked in a tense standoff.
The Chinese Defense Ministry said the soldier had been helping herders round up yaks when he lost his way on Sunday evening. The Chinese side informed the Indian counterparts about the missing individual and was informed shortly afterward that he had been found and would be returned after undergoing a medical checkup, a spokesperson for the Western Theater Command, Zhang Shuili, was quoted as saying.
The Indian Army in a statement on Monday said the Corporal was apprehended after he had strayed across the LAC. The statement also said a request was received from the PLA about the whereabouts of the missing soldier.
“As per established protocols, he will be returned to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities,” the Army said. Sources said the PLA soldier was interrogated on how he crossed over to the Indian side.
Both Indian and Chinese Armies have deployed over 50,000 troops each along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, including in the Demchok sector following escalation of the five-month-long military standoff that began in early May. Situation remains tense at the LAC.