Situation on Line of Actual Control peaceful: Army

DRASS (JK): Against the backdrop of repeated incursions by China into Indian territory, a top Army commander today said the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was "absolutely peaceful and calm" and such incidents happen due to differences in perception.
"The situation on the China border is absolutely peaceful and calm. There are no problems. There has been no incident of firing at the LAC. There are some areas where there is a difference of perception on the alignment of the LAC. We think it is some area and they think of some other," General Officer Commanding in Chief, Lt Gen D S Hooda, told reporters here.

He said there was no demarcation of the LAC on the land and in such areas both Indian soldiers as well as Chinese soldiers do patrolling.

"But even in those areas, whenever there are any face-offs, everything is settled peacefully. I cannot comment on the political or the diplomatic level, but soldier-to- soldier contact is handled very peacefully," he said.

He said there was no real concern of the transgressions by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the rules and protocols were largely followed by both the sides.

"Transgressions are always there. Also, let me say that as the infrastructure there is getting developed and roads are coming up...even our presence is slightly increased in various areas. So, sometimes it is also because of that that you are actually seeing more of what is happening. There is greater visibility also from our side on what they are doing.

"There are rules and agreements and protocols that are defined and largely these protocols are being followed by both sides. Really, there is no cause of real concern that they are doing something which is out of the ordinary," he said.

On reports of deployment of Chinese troops in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), the army commander said it does not pose any immediate threat.

"There are some media reports that there are Chinese troops in PoK, but mostly they are related to developmental activities. We are not getting anything that is close to the LoC or poses an immediate threat.