Srinagar, Sept 14: Defence Minister George Fernandes today asserted there was no incursion into Indian territory by Chinese forces saying the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayan region between the two countries had not yet been finalised. "There is no intrusion in Ladakh ... our men go to that side and they come to this side. The LAC is there on which a final decision is yet to be taken," Fernandes told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised by army near here.
Commenting on media reports that Chinese Army had intruded into the Indian territory in Ladakh region, Fernandes said "such cross-overs are a routine matter".
General officer commanding of strategic 14 Corps Lt Gen Arvind Sharma told visiting reporters at Leh on Thursday that the Chinese army was undertaking patrol across LAC in Ladakh due to difference of perception of real LAC in the past.
New Delhi and Beijing have set up a joint military group for final demarcation of LAC after the two sides traded charges of violating it in the past.
About the ongoing joint Indo-US military exercises in Ladakh region, the Defence Minister said there was no harm in carrying out such exercises as both countries "will be benefited".
Bureau Report