The standoff on the eastern Ladakh border has been dragging on for so long that it was a matter of time before the yak entered the picture.

The yak appears to have done so on Monday by getting lost, apparently setting the stage for a Chinese soldier to “stray” across the contested Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh in search of the animal.

The Chinese soldier was “apprehended”, the Indian Army said. It added that the soldier would be returned.

China remained silent through the day.

At night, CGTN, the Chinese state-controlled media outlet, said: “China border troop informed India for helping to search a PLA soldier, who was getting lost near border. He was helping herders to find lost yak. India side agreed & promised to find & return him.”

CGTN said that Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili, People’s Liberation Army, West Theatre Command, had confirmed the incident.

Earlier, the Indian Army had said it had received a request on the whereabouts of the missing soldier from the Chinese army. It was not disclosed whether the yak had been found.

“A PLA soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long was apprehended in the Demchok sector of eastern Ladakh on October 19 after he had strayed across the LAC,” the Indian Army said in a statement.

The Chinese soldier, the statement said, was provided medical assistance including oxygen, as well as food and warm clothes, to protect him from the effects of the extreme altitude and the harsh climate.

“As per established protocols, he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities,” the statement said.