China cries ‘fake news’ after reports that 20 troops were injured in India’s border clash

The Chinese state media called a “fake news report” outlining a major clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Naku La in the North Sikkim border area between the two countries.

Indian media reports on Monday suggested that as many as 20 Chinese troops were injured in hand-to-hand fighting on January 20, which would be the most important recovery in tension between the two, as dozens of troops were killed during the fighting along the northern border. of the Indian Ladakh region in June.

China’s Global Times newspaper – a fierce nationalist publication run by the Chinese Communist Party – said on Monday the reports were ‘fake news’, citing an unnamed source.

“There is no report of this incident in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s patrol books,” the Global Times wrote. “There were minor frictions between the frontline forces of the two countries, but if there was friction with casualties, it is impossible not to be recorded in the Chinese patrol files.”

The Indian army also downplayed the incident. “It is clear that on January 20, 2021, there was a minor sighting in the Naku La area in North Sikkim, and the same was resolved by local commanders according to established protocols,” reads a statement from the army.

“Media are urged to refrain from reports or exaggerated reports that are factually incorrect,” the statement added.

AFP quoted unnamed government sources as saying that four Indian troops were injured when a Chinese patrol was forced back by Indian soldiers. They added that an unknown number of Chinese troops were also injured. Indian media claim that at least 20 PLA ​​soldiers were wounded.

Both countries have stepped up troops along the 2,500-mile mountainous border since tensions escalated last summer. Each blamed the other for the conflict, but satellite imagery showed that Chinese troops had established new positions outside the line of real control – the border line established after the 1962 border war.

Indian and Chinese troops have been building new positions, roads and other infrastructure on both sides of the border for years. India has traditionally lagged behind China and politicians in New Delhi have warned that Indian forces now have a disadvantage.

Patrols and construction projects sometimes brought Chinese and Indian troops into conflict, but major violence was largely avoided. This is due in part to a long-standing convention that troops in the region do not carry firearms.

June’s deadly clashes sparked fears of limited conflict between the giant nuclear-armed neighbors. Reinforcements increased the number of troops to nearly 100,000 along the Himalayan border. Since then, delegations have met to ease tensions. The ninth and latest round of talks was held on Sunday and according to Indian media, it lasted almost 16 hours.