Chinese youth intrude into Leh, detained by Army

Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, June 19: After Chinese Army incursion in Leh area of Ladakh in April this year, three Chinese Muslim youth who intruded into Indian Territory in Ladakh have been detained by Army.
Highly placed sources said that the youth identified as Aadil Ahmad, Mohammad Salam and Abdul Khaliq were spotted by Army on June 14 at Sultan Chinkar in Murgo area of Leh, some 20 kilometers inside Indian territory near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Sources said that the trio is in the age group of 20-25. Army has failed to understand their language and they are probably speaking Yarkandi and are from Aksai Chin area of China, which is historically and legally part of Indian Union.
Army has failed to get any translator so far and has handed them over to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) who are trying to question them. But so far the youth have not been handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir police, nor they have been given any access to them for questioning.
Sources said that through their gestures Army has understood that the trio is labourers and have strayed into Indian Territory after losing track.
Sources said that they were most probably working on a road project in the area near the LAC and have strayed into Indian Territory. Chinese currency and one Indian one-rupee coin was recovered from their possession.
Army has finally zeroed in on one Abdullah from Ganderbal area of Kashmir valley who speaks Yarkandi language and may be used as a translator during questioning of the trio. But Abdullah is too old and has refused to go to Ladakh. Army is now contemplating to airlift Abdullah to Leh by sending him a chopper.
Army is contemplating to involve the Intelligence Bureau into the questioning of the trio when the translator arrives in Leh.
Sources said that the trio can’t be booked for any offence as India claims Aksai Chin as part of India. “Under Indian law the trio has not committed any offence by crossing the LAC”, sources added.
Sources said that this is for the first time that the Chinese nationals have strayed into Indian Territory in Ladakh. They have strayed in at a time when the Indian troops along the LAC with Chinese have intensified their patrolling and vigil following People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intrusion in Ladakh in April this year.

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