A Chinese army soldier, carrying civil and military documents, was captured by the Indian Army near Demchok area of Ladakh on Monday

The Indian Army apprehended a Chinese army soldier near Demchok area of Ladakh on Monday morning. According to the initial reports, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier, identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long, was carrying civil and military documents when he was captured in Ladakh by the Indian Army.

The Chinese army soldier is a Corporal-rank soldier and a resident of Shangxizhen town of central Zhejiang province, China. The Indian Army took him into its custody after capturing him in Ladakh's Demchok area.

In a statement, the Indian Army said, "A PLA soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long was apprehended in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh on 19 October 2020 after he had strayed across the LAC." The Indian Army added that it received a request about the whereabouts of the missing soldier from the PLA.

The PLA soldier was caught carrying civil and military documents. He is an armourer who repairs firearms. The agencies are investigating if the Chinese army soldier was on an espionage mission.

The Chinese army soldier was provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions.

"As per established protocols, he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities,"

The latest incident was reported as India and China held the seventh round of military talks on October 12. Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) are locked in an over five-month-long border standoff.

In a joint press statement, the two countries said both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement "as early as possible".

“Both sides are of the view that the meeting was positive and constructive, and agreed to earnestly implement the important understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, not to turn differences into disputes, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas," the statement said.

Amid the ongoing conflict with China, top Army commanders will meet next week to discuss the ongoing situation on the Ladakh border along with proposals for reforms in the 1.3 million-strong force.

“During the conference planned to be held from October 26-29, the ongoing situation at the China border, operations in Jammu and Kashmir and a number of proposals on the reforms to be carried out in the force are expected to be discussed,” sources in the Indian Army said.