New Delhi/Dehradun, July 31

Chinese soldiers transgressed into Indian territory twice this month in the Barahoti sector of Uttarakhand, but the incidents were downplayed by Indian officials today, saying these should not be given “undue importance”.Around 15-20 personnel of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) came 800 metres inside Indian territory in Chamoli district on the morning of July 25, officials said.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The incident took place just a day before National Security Adviser Ajit Doval left for Beijing to attend a meeting of NSAs of BRICS. It also comes amid the standoff between the armies of the two countries in Dokalam at the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction.The first transgression took place on July 15 and the other on July 25. In both instances, Chinese soldiers numbering about 15-20 came into Indian territory, stayed there for a while and left, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) sources said. On July 25, the PLA troops  even threatened the shepherds in Barahoti during their two-hour stay. They left after the Indians protested.However, official sources said such incidents have happened in the past but are normally sorted out locally. They added that transgressions occur due to differing perceptions of Line of Actual Control (LAC). — PTI