China 'grabs large chunk' of disputed border area from India

After months of bloody fighting along their Himalayan border, China has grabbed about 300sq/kms of land from India in the disputed area, reports say.

Tensions between the two powers flared during the northern summer, with fears of prolonged military conflict breaking out.

Chinese soldiers have now taken control of an area spanning 300sq/kms - the size of Manhattan - reports The South China Morning Post.

The territory has long been disputed, erupting into numerous minor conflicts and diplomatic spats since a bloody war between the countries in 1962.

But the past six months has raised tensions to a new level.

The high-altitude standoff between the Asian giants began in early May with a fierce brawl, and exploded into hand-to-hand combat with clubs, stones and fists on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead.

China is believed to also have had casualties, but has not given any details.

By then Indian officials realised the Chinese army had built forward bases and occupied mountain tops and deployed thousands of troops.

The build-up denied India access to 250sq/kms in the Depsang Plains and 50sq/kms in the Pangong Tso, Indian officials said.

India and China have each stationed tens of thousands of soldiers backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets and are bracing for a harsh winter in the cold-desert region, where temperatures can fall to minus 50 degrees.

"We have not seen an expanded winter deployment since the 1962 war," retired Indian Lieutenant General D. S. Hooda said.

"Both countries are digging in," he said.

"It tells us that attitudes are hardening and thereby we could see an extended period of tensions that could have unintended consequences."

- With AP