Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], December 12 (ANI): A face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday led to minor injuries “to a few personnel” from both sides, sources said on Monday and noted that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.
The sources said on December 9, 2022, PLA troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. “This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides. Both sides immediately disengaged from the area,” a source said.
They said as a follow-up of the incident, India’s Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity. The sources said that in certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006. (ANI)
No death, no major injuries to our soldiers: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha on India-China LAC clash
New Delhi [India], December 13 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that timely intervention by Indian Army stopped the Chinese PLA troops from encroaching on the country’s territory during the December 9 face-off at Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha today, the Defence Minister said that Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts.
“On December 9, 2022 PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha.
The minister said that the issue had been taken up with China through diplomatic channels.
“After this incident, on December 11, the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system and discussed this incident. The Chinese side was refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border,” Singh told the Lok Sabha.
The Defence Minister said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured in the incident.
Singh said, “In this face-off, a few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I’d like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations.”
“This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it,” Rajnath Singh said.
“I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces, Singh said.
On Monday the Indian Army in a statement said: “On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.”
“Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity,” it said.
Opposition members earlier today created a ruckus in Parliament over the clash between troops of India and China. Soon after Rajnath Singh’s statement, Opposition leaders staged a walkout from Lok Sabha. (ANI)
Chinese troops attempted to change status quo in Arunachal: Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi [India], December 13 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress the Line of Actual Control in Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo but they went back to their locations due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders.
Giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha, the Defence Minister assured the Upper House that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it”.
Singh also displayed confidence that “this entire House will stand united in supporting our soldiers in the brave effort.” Explaining the incident, the Minister said: “I would like to brief this august House about an incident on our border in Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9, 2022.”
“On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” said Singh.
He further said “the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”, and clarified that “there are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side”. “Due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations,” Singh said.
As a follow-up of the incident, the Minister further said, local commander in the area held a “flag meeting with his counterpart on December 11, 2022 to discuss the issue in accordance with established mechanisms”. “The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquility along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Singh said.
The Minister also assured the House that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it”. “I am confident that this entire House will stand united in supporting our soldiers in their brave effort,” the Minister added.
The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh. “On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides,” the Indian Army has said in a statement. “Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity,” it said. (ANI)
