India returns Chinese soldier who had strayed across

An Indian Army convoy moves on the Srinagar- Ladakh highway at Gagangeer. (AP Photo: Dar Yasin, File)

The Chinese soldier who had crossed the Line of Actual Control on October 19 morning was handed back to the People’s Liberation Army late on Tuesday night in the Chushul-Moldo general area, sources in the Army told The Indian Express.

The soldier, identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long, had strayed across the LAC into Indian territory in Demchok area in eastern Ladakh, and was apprehended by the Army on Monday.

Chinese Corporal Wang Ya Long, who had strayed across the LAC into the Indian territory in Demchok area in eastern Ladakh on the 19th Oct was returned to the Chinese side by the Indian Army late last night in the Chushul-Moldo general area. @IndianExpress

— Krishn Kaushik (@Krishn_) October 21, 2020

The incident took place as both sides are involved in a tense military standoff in the eastern Ladakh region since early May. Both sides have deployed nearly 50,000 troops each, and have positioned additional artillery, tanks and air defence assets.

In a statement about the incident, the Army Monday said the Chinese soldier was “provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him…