Himachal Pradesh CM visits Sumdo after Chinese choppers spotted

Following reports of Chinese helicopters violating the Indian airspace at Sumdo on April 11 and April 20, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur visited the area on the border of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts.

Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday visited Sumdo on the border of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts following reports of Chinese helicopters entering Indian airspace in the area on two occasions amid heightened tensions between India and China.

Thakur, accompanied by Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda and others including the district collector, is likely to hold discussions with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel as well as Dogra regiment officers on the situation prevailing at the border district.

The CM plans on submitting a report on the issue to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise him of the ground situation.

"This is a very important visit from a security point of view. CM Thakur will be taking stock of the situation by interacting with security personnel manning the border districts," Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda told ETV Bharat.

Chinese helicopters reportedly violated the Indian airspace at Sumdo on April 11 and April 20.

Himachal Pradesh shares around 200 km of its boundary with China in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts. It is manned by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel.