Indian Army Rescues Three Chinese Citizens Along Sikkim Border
After providing them assistance, the Indian Army guided the three Chinese citizens on their way back into China from North Sikkim.
The Indian Army provided food, warm clothes and medical assistance to three Chinese citizens who had lost their way into India in North Sikkim, officials said on Saturday. The personnel then guided them on their way back into the Chinese side.
The incident comes amid heightened border tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. However, their defence ministers—after their meeting in Moscow, Russia—agreed to defuse tensions.
According to an army statement, the three Chinese citizens had lost their way in the plateau area of North Sikkim. "Realising the danger to the lives of the Chinese citizens in sub-zero temperatures, the soldiers of Indian Army immediately reached out and provided medical assistance—including oxygen, food and warm clothes—to protect them from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions.”
The Indian troops also gave them appropriate guidance to reach their destination after which they returned. “The Chinese citizens expressed their gratitude to India and the Indian Army for their prompt assistance,” the statement read.
India and China have been locked in a border standoff in eastern Ladakh for over four months now. Tensions had on June 15 escalated after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in clashes with the Chinese in Galwan Valley. The People’s Liberation Army is yet to reveal the casualties it suffered in the clash.
Tensions flared up again last week after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory along the southern bank of the Pangong Tso. India then occupied several strategic heights strengthened its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese action. China has strongly objected to India's move.