India, China 'minor face-off' in Sikkim last week, 'resolved' by officers

Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed along the Line of Actual Control near Naku La pass in Sikkim last week, the army confirmed on Monday.

The clashes took place on January 20, when a Chinese patrol tried to cross into Indian Territory. There were minor injuries on both sides, sources said.

"We have received several queries regarding a face-off between the Indian Army and PLA troops in Sikkim sector. It is clarified that there was a minor face-off at Naku La area of North Sikkim on 20 January and the same was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols," said the army in a statement.

The army added that the media should "refrain from overplaying or exaggerating reports which are factually incorrect".

The Naku La pass, located at an altitude of 19,000 feet, connects Sikkim to the Tibet region in China and is known to be a sensitive area.

Troops of both sides last clashed in the same region in May 2020, just days before an unprecedented escalation when 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers were killed in a physical clash in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.

India and China have since been locked in a standoff along the border in Ladakh. New Delhi has said Beijing must restore status quo to defuse tension.

The two sides held the ninth round of military talks yesterday and discussions went on for 15 hours, till around 2.30 AM at Chushul in Eastern Ladakh.

(NDTV)