Explainer | Why are Indian and Chinese soldiers fighting with fists, sticks and rocks?
- The answer lies in a 1996 treaty that so far has prevented the countries’ border dispute turning even more deadly
- But as the two sides mobilise weapons, and after a tense meeting between their militaries, there are signs that the agreement may be a fragile one
In the conflict, soldiers on both sides did not use any firearms nor explosives. Instead, they fought barehanded, and with sticks and rocks. The restraint was based on an agreement reached in 1996.
What is the 1996 agreement?
Under the agreement, the two militaries are prohibited from firing guns or detonating explosives within 2km (1.2 miles) of the LAC except for training use in shooting ranges “to prevent dangerous military activities in the LAC”.
01:59
Death toll rises to 20 in border clash between India and China
The two sides also agreed to reduce or limit their respective military forces along the LAC. They agreed to limit major weapon types, including combat tanks, infantry combat vehicles, howitzers with a 75mm or bigger calibre, mortars with a 120mm or bigger calibre, surface-to-surface missiles and surface-to-air missiles. Military aircraft were also banned from flying within 10km of the LAC without notification.