The Centre’s statement comes days after Lance Naik Ebet Paloh, 32, from Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district, died in the line of duty along the India-China border in North Sikkim. The circumstances of his death have not been disclosed.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, October 23, 2026: The Modi government on Friday acknowledged continuing friction with China at multiple points along the border, even as an Indian Army soldier from Arunachal Pradesh died in the line of duty along the India-China frontier in North Sikkim on October 19.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Chinese forces had deviated from established patrolling patterns in border areas, following the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief’s confirmation that face-offs with Chinese troops were continuing at several locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border.
Lance Naik Ebet Paloh, 32, hailed from Geku Kumku village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district. Born on June 9, 1994, he was the son of Lom Paloh and had completed 13 years of service in the Indian Army. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been publicly disclosed.
Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, Army Commander of the Eastern Command, and all ranks expressed their condolences over Paloh’s death. The Army paid tribute to him for making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and affirmed its support for his bereaved family. Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and all ranks also paid homage to the soldier.
MEA Acknowledges Border Tensions
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions at the ministry’s regular media briefing on Friday, said the situation along the India-China border was periodically disturbed when Chinese forces diverged from established patrolling patterns.
“Both sides continue to use existing diplomatic and military mechanisms to resolve outstanding issues and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation along the Line of Actual Control,” Jaiswal said.
He added that India and China had agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in appropriate areas to strengthen border management. Maintaining peace and tranquillity along the frontier, he said, was essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.
Jaiswal referred questions about the specific face-offs to the Ministry of Defence and did not provide operational details about the latest incidents.
The statement followed remarks by ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Kapur on Thursday, when he confirmed that confrontations with Chinese troops had occurred at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent days and were continuing.
READ: Arunachal Soldier Martyred Along China Border in North Sikkim
Bi-Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (October 23, 2026) https://t.co/02UiEhucZG
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 23, 2026
ITBP Chief Confirms Continuing China Face-Offs
Addressing ITBP personnel at an event in Alwar, Rajasthan, Kapur said the force had faced Chinese troops at multiple locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border.
He praised the newly raised Shaurya Commando teams for their role and stressed that the ITBP must remain focused on its core responsibility of guarding the border with China.
His remarks marked a public confirmation by the force’s chief of continuing confrontations along the northeastern frontier, where reports of heightened tensions had emerged in recent months.
The Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district has been among the locations mentioned in reports on the latest border tensions. However, the government has not publicly detailed the precise circumstances of the recent face-offs, the positions of the troops involved or whether any specific incident involved a crossing of the LAC.
India and China have differing perceptions of parts of the LAC, and the line has not been mutually delineated throughout the frontier. Divergent perceptions over patrolling areas have repeatedly complicated efforts to manage border tensions.
Congress Demands Answers
The ITBP chief’s remarks triggered a political response from the Congress, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge describing the developments as deeply alarming and demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain the situation along the border.
The opposition has questioned whether India’s diplomatic engagement with China has delivered lasting stability along the frontier. It has also sought clarification on reports that Chinese forces have restricted Indian troops’ access to some patrolling areas.
The latest developments come amid efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise bilateral ties through diplomatic and military channels. The two countries have held several rounds of discussions on border management, the boundary question and mechanisms to prevent local confrontations from escalating.
Peace Along the LAC Remains a Key Issue
The MEA’s reference to Chinese forces diverging from established patrolling patterns signals continuing differences over border management. However, the statement does not by itself establish that Chinese troops crossed a formally agreed boundary or entered territory whose status is mutually accepted by both sides.
India and China continue to rely on military and diplomatic mechanisms to address outstanding border issues and prevent local confrontations from escalating. New Delhi has reiterated that peace and tranquillity along the LAC are essential for improving broader bilateral relations.
With the ITBP confirming continuing face-offs and the MEA acknowledging recurring disruptions, the latest statements underline that the border situation remains unresolved. Further details about the recent confrontations are expected from the Ministry of Defence.
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