Army handling Chinese incursion issue in Ladakh: Antony

Thanjavur, May 27: Defence Minister A K Antony Monday said army was handling the situation arising out of the latest incursion in Ladakh after Chinese troops prevented Indians from patrolling up to LAC in Finger-VIII area where they have built a road inside Indian territory. "Army is updated about latest position there. Whenever these kind of incidents happen in the local areas, they are handling it," Antony told reporters here and asserted that India can protect its national interests. The Defence Minister was asked about the recent Chinese incursion in Ladakh where its troops have built a road five kms inside the Indian territory. "Indian can protect its national interests. India is not the India of the past," he said.

A recent incident has come to light in Ladakh where Chinese troops prevented their Indian counterparts from patrolling up to the Line of Actual Control. The alleged incident took place near Finger-VIII area, also known as Siri Jap, on May 17, two days before Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang arrived in New Delhi after it was announced that the stand-off resulting from a 19-kilometre deep Chinese intrusion had ended. Asked about the readiness of armed forces, Antony said, "We are fully prepared. The nation can be fully assured that our armed forces are fully prepared." He said countries are showing keen interest in strengthening defence relationship with us. “Everybody wants more cooperation of our defence forces, that shows gradual enhancement in our capabilities.”

The Minister said he would be visiting China soon as was decided during the visit of the then Chinese Defence Minister Gen Liang Guanglie in September last year.

Meanwhile, Antony ruled out possibility of deploying Army in anti-Naxal operations. He said the real answer lies in strengthening local and central police forces. “The Services have been extending full support to the police troops on the ground and the IAF was operating its choppers during night also in Naxal-hit areas,” he said. Asked if the time was right to deploy Army in anti-Naxal operations given the intensity of the attack on Saturday in Chhattisgarh, Antony said, "There is no proposal like that. We extend our support without direct involvement. The real answer is to strengthen the local police and para-military forces". 

Source: http://www.risingkashmir.in/news/army-handling-chinese-incursion-issue-in-ladakh-antony-47989.aspx