Troops of India and China clashed with each other in the high-altitude area of Naku La in North Sikkim on January 20 after the PLA soldiers tried to enter the Indian territory, according to the Indian Army.
The clash in Sikkim comes as a surprise as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is aggressively targeting new areas like Naku La which has not been counted in 23 disputed and sensitive areas for the year that report clashes or face-offs along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
However, Chinese state media Global Times claimed that no clash had occurred and termed these reports as fake news. The Indian Army, on the other hand, said that it was a minor face-off at Naku La on January 20 which was resolved by local commanders following established protocols.
“Though no weapons were used during the incident, injuries were sustained on both sides. It was bigger than a routine scuffle. The situation is tense but under control," Times of India quoted its source as saying.
This is for the second time when the troops of both the countries have clashed at Naku La. Just after a violent face-off on the north bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh on May 5-6, they had clashed in Naku La on May 9.
During clashes between troops of India and China on June 15 in Galwan, 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers were killed. Both the armies are on the alert mode in high altitude areas along the borders.
