Pema Khandu denies fresh China incursion reports in Arunachal Pradesh, says Army will verify ground situation

Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu denied reports claiming fresh incursion by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the state, saying that he would speak to both the Indian Army and local organisations to ascertain the facts.

Media reports claimed that fresh allegations of Chinese incursions have emerged from Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district, with local residents alleging that Chinese troops recently crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and entered areas near Pukar La and Ollo in the remote Taksing circle.

Khandu said that he did not think any such incursion was taking place, as the Indian Army has been effectively guarding the border and maintaining the security of Indian territory.


“I have invited the local Nah community people and the local organisation of that area. I wanted to listen to their views. I would also talk to the Army to know the situation there and what exactly happened,” Khandu said.

In June this year there were reports of incursion June In Upper Subansiri district, the Indian Army had dismissed the claims.

In a rebuttal issued in the last week of June, the Army had said: “We have seen some media reports alleging recent encroachment by the Chinese PLA and the setting up of camps in Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are incorrect and without any basis.”

Nah Welfare Society (NWS) had alleged in June this year that in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has gradually ramp up its infrastructure inside Indian territory near the Taksing sector.

NWS, an NGO, has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Upper Subansiri. It claimed that Chinese forces have established roads, bridges and military camps in several locations traditionally used by local communities for grazing, hunting and collection of forest produce.

In a memorandum dated June 26, 2026, signed by Nah Welfare Society President Keru Chader, the organisation expressed “deep grief” over what it described as the gradual occupation of ancestral lands by the Chinese PLA.

According to the memorandum, the alleged activities have intensified over the past 10 to 15 years, with a noticeable increase after 2020. The organisation stated that areas which residents freely accessed for hunting, cattle grazing, collection of forest products, and traditional community activities are now allegedly under Chinese military control.

The memorandum further claims that the PLA has constructed permanent roads, bridges, military camps, and supporting infrastructure inside areas that the organisation considers part of Indian territory.

The Nah Welfare Society has identified five locations where it claims Chinese infrastructure has been established, Oying (Asaphila area), Paniar (Chujarta area), Marpan (Marnafe), Potrang Lake and Tindingtang (TG).

According to the organisation, several of these locations lie close to Taksing headquarters, while some are considered culturally and religiously significant pilgrimage areas for the Tsari region.

The memorandum alleged that these areas remained under Indian control until around 2020, after which Chinese activities reportedly intensified.

NWS President Keru Chader wrote, “Our ancestral lands, which were our hunting areas where we freely roamed and collected forest products, and our cattle grazing areas are now under the occupation of the Chinese PLA. We do not doubt our Indian Army and always have faith in them. They have been guarding our land for many years, but their efforts are not enough. The intention and speed of the present activities of the Chinese PLA at Taksing are very alarming. We are losing our land inch by inch day by day.”

The organisation had appealed to both the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Central Government to take immediate steps to safeguard the border and verify the alleged developments.

Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,080-km border with China.