India says report claiming Chinese army killed 158 Indian soldiers 'baseless'

New Delhi, Delhi, India

India on Monday categorically denied reports coming from Chinese media that the Chinese Army killed 158 Indian soldiers and fired rockets across the Sikkim border.

India's denial came a day after China's army conducted new drills in Tibet that included targeting enemy aircraft and tanks.

"Such reports are utterly baseless, malicious and mischievous. No cognisance should be taken of them by responsible media," Ministry of External Affairs Minsiter official spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

A report in Dunya news had claimed that the Chinese Army carried out attacks across the Sikkim border wounding several Indian soldiers. It cited a two minute video footage that was broadcast by the China Central Television (CCTV).

The video footage showed the Chinese soldiers attacking an Indian post using rocket launchers, machine guns, and mortars.This incident comes amid the month-long stand-off between the two countries in disputed Doklam area at the China, Bhutan, and India tri-junction.

The stand-off emerged after Chinese troops were stopped by the Indian Army from constructiing a road in Doklam.

Bhutan claims the area as a part of its territory. China says the area falls on their side as per a 1890 treaty signed between the Britishers and China.

China suspended the annual Kailash Manasarovar yatra and conceded that the decision to suspend the pilgrimage was due to a scuffle at the border. It also alleged that the Indian troops had crossed the Sikkim sector of the Indo-China border. 

(ANI)