The Chinese soldiers opened fire on Indian troops at 9-30 this morning [October 1] at Cho La, about three and a half miles north west of Nathu La on the Sikkim-Tibet border without any provocation. An official spokesman of the Defence Ministry said that according to reports available intermittent firing continued in the afternoon also, but decreased after 3 p.m. owing to fog. There has been no report of firing after 4 p.m. There have been casualties on both sides, according to information reaching the defence headquarters. The Chinese used recoilless guns and mortars and the Indian troops returned the fire. The Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi who is now in Bombay referred to the renewed Chinese firing on the Sikkim border and said that the country should be alert to meet any eventuality.
