China says Indian troops fired \`provocative\` shots in border dispute
China has accused Indian troops of crossing the border and firing warning shots. This forced the Chinese military to take "preventive measures." Chinese guards were "forced to take countermeasures"_ said a military spokesperson_ though it is not clear what they were. It would be the first time in 45 years that shots were fired there_ breaking an agreement barring firearm use. Relations between both countries have steadily deteriorated in recent months. According to state media outlet the Global Times_ the Indian troops had "illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) into the Shenpao mountain region near the south bank of Pangong Tso Lake"_ quoting senior colonel Zhang Shuili_ a spokesperson of the People's Liberation Army. India's move "seriously violated related agreements reached by both sides_ stirred up tensions in the region... and is very vile in nature_" said Mr Zhang. The Indian authorities have yet to respond. A 1996 agreement between both countries bars the use of guns and explosives from the Line of Actual Control_ as the disputed border is known_ although soldiers have clashed there before. The PLA spokesperson also called on the Indian side to "immediately stop dangerous moves_ withdraw personnel who crossed the LAC... and punish the personnel who fired the provocative shot". The tense confrontation comes just one day after India's military alerted Chinese officials of reports that five Indian civilians were kidnapped by Chinese troops from an area near the disputed border. Tensions rose in June when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent skirmish with Chinese forces. Local media outlets said then that the soldiers had been "beaten to death". The soldiers on either side - representing two of the world's largest armies - come face to face at many points. India has accused China of sending thousands of troops into Ladakh's Galwan valley and says China occupies 38_000sq km (14_700sq miles) of its territory. Several rounds of talks in the last three decades have failed to resolve the boundary disputes. -Source: BBC
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