New Delhi: Admitting that a Chinese
military helicopter had violated Indian airspace in Jammu and
Kashmir two months back, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor
on Monday said New Delhi has taken up the matter with Beijing.
"Let me inform you one incursion of a Chinese
helicopter (along the Line of Actual Control in Leh) took
place some time back," he told reporters after taking over as
the new chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee here.
He, however, said the matter has been taken up by
India during the border personnel meet with the Chinese
immediately after the incursion.
"The matter has been taken up with China during
meetings of border personnel of the two sides," Kapoor said.
But giving a benefit of doubt to the Chinese, he said
the incursion could be the result of a "navigational error".
He, however, said reports of more than one incursion
by Chinese helicopters were "incorrect".
The Chinese helicopter had entered the Indian airspace
on June 21 this year and is reported to have air-dropped
canned food at Chumar, northeast of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.
Govt taking serious note: Cong
Congress meanwhile said the
government has taken a serious note of the violation of Indian
airspace by a Chinese helicopter, saying the mechanism for
registering complaint has been invoked.
"The government of India is taking a serious view... No
body takes it lightly," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told
reporters here.
He said, "at the highest level, there is a mechanism
established. The mechanism for registering a complaint had
been invoked earlier when it happened".
The spokesman said the complaint has been registered with
the Chinese government as New Delhi was not taking the matter
lightly.
Bureau Report
