PLA presence in AJK denied

Friday, September 21, 2012 - Beijing—China has dismissed as “entirely groundless” Indian Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh’s assertion that PLA soldiers were present in Azad Kashmir.

“The allegation that Chinese soldiers are present in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir is entirely groundless,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

Gen Singh said in New Delhi that Chinese soldiers were present in AJK to provide security to its ongoing railways and road projects there.

“We are told that Chinese soldiers are there to provide protection to their ongoing projects related to their railways, road and hydro-electric projects and it is basically for security purposes,” the Army Chief said.—INP