In Naku La, North Sikkim last week, Indian and Chinese troops had a face-off sustaining injuries on both sides. In spite of many rounds of diplomatic and military talks, the nine-month-long eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation still continues in eastern Ladakh.

The Army addressed the clash as “a minor face-off” at Naku La on January 20, and said that it was “resolved by local commanders as per established protocols”.

After the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) attempted to intrude into Indian territory and the Indian Army challenged them, the brawl ignited at Naku La. “Both sides brought in some reinforcements…there were injuries on both sides in the physical clash. But there was no firing. The situation is under control,” said a source.

India and China on Sunday held the ninth round of corps commander-level talks in yet another bid to defuse the tensions in eastern Ladakh, with New Delhi once again asking Beijing for `complete disengagement and de-escalation’ at all the face-off sites.

There was, however, no immediate official word on the outcome of the ninth round of military talks between the delegations led by 14 Corps commander Lt-General P G K Menon and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin. The meeting, which began on the Chinese side of the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point at 11 am on Sunday, continued till 2.30 am on Monday. (ToI)