New Delhi: China has defended the intrusion of Indian air space in Barahoti region of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, saying India and China have a territorial dispute in the eastern section of the boundary and the Chinese military carry out regular patrolling in the relevant areas.
Hitting back at China, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said it was “unacceptable”. “This is the first such air space violation. We can understand even ground incursion… it can be a mistake. But this is unacceptable. We will take it up with Beijing,” she said.
Two helicopters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China hovered over Chamoli district on Saturday, triggering concern in India's security establishment about the PLA's fourth such incursion into Indian airspace since March this year, PTI reported.
Official sources said the choppers, which returned to the Chinese side after about five minutes, could have carried out aerial photography of Indian ground troops during what was possibly a reconnaissance mission.
The choppers were identified as the Zhiba series of attack helicopters.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is investigating the incident.
On previous occasions, Chinese helicopters had entered 4.5 km into Indian territory, an area that China claims as its own and recognises as Wu-Je.
Barahoti is one of three border posts in the sector, comprising Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where ITBP jawans are not allowed to carry weapons and are in civilian clothes under a unilateral decision taken by the central government in June 2000.
However, after the 1962 war, ITBP jawans patrolled the area with weapons in a non-combative manner, under which the barrel of the gun is positioned downward.
During prolonged negotiations on resolving border disputes, the Indian side had unilaterally decided in June 2000 that ITBP troops would not be carrying arms to three posts — Barahoti, Kauril and Shipki in Himachal Pradesh.
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