Five missing Arunachal Pradesh men found in China, process to bring them back underway

New Delhi : China's PLA has confirmed that five missing Arunachal Pradesh men have been found on their side and the process to bring them back in India has been initiated.

"China's PLA has responded to the hotline message sent by Indian Army. They have confirmed that the missing youths from Arunachal Pradesh have been found by their side. Further modalities to handover the persons to our authority is being worked out," Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted.

The men had gone missing on September 1 and were a part of a group of porters who were carrying essentials for a long-range reconnaissance patrol of the Indian Army that was going to the McMahon Line.

The families of the men had said that they had gone to the border as part-time porters and might have strayed away in search of traditional herbs in the mountains.

In Upper Subansiri district, remote areas like Siyum, Nacho, Limeking and Taksing are from where villagers come to help the army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in going for long-range patrols. LRRPs are frequently sent out to Rijala, Tongdara Pass and the Kodo Pass at the McMahon Line.

The ITBP sends out at least two LRRPs in a year, while the army sends three or four of them, sources said.