New Delhi:

The Indian Army today rejected reports that soldiers in India were being held by Chinese troops. A statement from the military reads: "There are no detention of Indian soldiers at the borders. We categorically deny this. It hurts national interests if media companies publish irresponsible news".

Sources told NDTV that a patrol party was held by Chinese forces in Ladakh near the Pangong Sea earlier this week, after a break between the two sides. Along with Army personnel, staff of the & # 39; Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were also part of the patrol team.

The situation – arrived amid tensions along the Line of Actual Control – was abrupt after a meeting of commanders from both sides. Sources said the ministerial office was informed about the matter.

Asked if it could confirm that no ITBP jaws that were part of this joint patrol were detained and no weapons of any ITBP jaw were seized, the army refused to respond.

"Official statements have been issued. We are not taking any questions now," the army said.

On May 9, at least 15 to 20 members of the Indian patrol team were involved in hand-fighting at high altitude. In a statement later, the Army said, "Aggressive behavior by both sides resulted in minor injuries to troops. The two sides have been disconnected to dialogue and interaction at the local level."

"Temporary and short-term face-offs between border guard troops are taking place so as not to resolve boundaries. Face-off incident, as referred to in the article, occurred. Troops solved such issues among themselves as per established protocols," reads the statement.

Ex-ministry officials said the situation was "volatile".

"The situation became very volatile last Wednesday when a break between Indian jawans and the Chinese resulted in the detention of some of our jawans, but later they were released," a senior bureaucrat told NDTV.

According to him, ITBP jawans were also dragged into the dish. "But eventually weapons were returned and our jawans also returned," he said.

The Chinese offense was good in Indian territory and the Home Ministry was informed that they were patrolling Lake Pangong on motor boats. The army said earlier that Chinese helicopters were seen operating in the & # 39; disputed region of Ladakh. In an interview with NDTV, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said, "(Chinese) helicopter activity has seen a spurt" in Ladakh.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is informed about the situation every day, sources said. Army Chief General MM Naravane on Friday visited Leh, 14th Corps headquarters in Ladakh to assess the situation.

It was decided to strengthen security in & # 39; region and troops were stationed in & # 39; Galwan region – a flashpoint in the 1962 War. Additional troops were also sent to the northern bank of Pangong Tso and Demchok.

The face-off between China and India began after China reportedly expressed its displeasure over the construction of a road and bridge in the Galwan area by India. "The road was constructed to help locals," a former NDTV official told him.