Chinese troops forced to take 'countermeasures' after Indian troops fired 'provocative' shots in border dispute

China has accused Indian forces of illegally crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and firing provocative warning shots at patrolling soldiers.

A military spokesperson for the Chinese, Zhang Shuili said that its troops were forced to take countermeasures. "The Chinese border defence troops were forced to take corresponding countermeasures to stabilise the terrain situation," Shuili said in a statement.

However, it was not clear whether Chinese troops also fired warning shots. Terming it a 'serious military provocation', the spokesperson said that this action of the Indian side has seriously violated the bilateral agreement and escalated the tension in the region.

India however, has denied its soldiers fired any shots.

The relationship between the neighbors has deteriorated since the Ladakh clash in June when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in hand-to-hand fighting with the Chinese troops.