New Delhi:
On June 17, Chinese troops patrolling disputed territory in the Chumar sector of southern Ladakh, reportedly took away a non-functioning solar CCTV camera placed about 6 km ahead of an Indian post.
Two days later, India brought up the issue of the missing camera at a routine meeting of border personnel and China returned it on July 3 this year.
Government sources said India is not treating the incident as an "incursion" by the Chinese as this is territory that both countries claim is theirs. The Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army or PLA both routinely patrol this region.
In April this year, a Chinese platoon had entered and set up camp about 19 km into Indian territory in the Depsang Valley and had refused to budge for about three weeks despite repeated requests from India.
After a 21-day face-off during which there were intense negotiations amid increasing tension, China agreed to withdraw its platoon. In return, India agreed to dismantle seven bunkers that it was building in the Chumar sector, the major trigger for China's April incursion.
As part of that agreement, cameras place by India in the region were also dismantled. This was one such camera, with solar panels removed, that the Chinese patrol had found.