In noble gesture, Army provides help to 3 stranded Chinese along LAC in Sikkim

New Delhi, Sept. 5: At a time it is engaged in a fierce standoff with China’s PLA in eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army on Wednesday provided food, warm clothes and medical assistance to three Chinese citizens who had lost their way in sub- zero temperatures at an altitude of 17,500 feet in a border area in North Sikkim, officials said.

The Army personnel deployed in the area also guided the Chinese citizens, including a woman, to return to the Chinese side and reach their destination. The humanitarian gesture by the Army came when it is dealing with an aggressive behaviour by the Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control ( LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

The Army, in a statement, said the three Chinese citizens lost their way in the Plateau area of North Sikkim.

“Realising danger to the lives of the Chinese citizens in sub- zero temperatures, the soldiers of Indian Army immediately reached out and provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect them from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions,” the Army said.

It said the Indian troops also gave them appropriate guidance to reach their destination after which they returned.

“The Chinese citizens expressed their gratitude to India and the Army for their prompt assistance,” the Army said.

The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a bitter border row in eastern Ladakh for the last four months.