Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh last Friday, leaving several injured on both sides, the Indian Army revealed on Monday.
In a statement, the Indian Army said that troops from both sides “immediately disengaged” after the clash, which occurred in Yangtse, 35 kilometres northeast of the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh.
Chinese soldiers reportedly encroached on an area near the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—India and China’s de facto border—where both sides had agreed not to patrol.
No chest-thumping/jingoism on the numbers. Shared as a matter of data as there are reports mentioning incomplete info. Patrol party clashes aren't new, but their complexion/context is very different after May 2020 and larger deployment in background. Wishing our troops strength.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 12, 2022
This manoeuvre was “contested by... (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner,” an anonymous source from the Indian Army told the media.
The source also said that there are "areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines.” “This has been the trend since 2006,” they stated.
While they gave no details about the reason for the latest flare-up, its nature, or the number of troops involved, they noted that military commanders met immediately to hold a de-escalatory “flag meeting” in order to “discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquility.”
Astonishing details emerging through @sneheshphilip on the clash between Chinese and Indian troops at Tawang. More than 200 Chinese armed with spiked clubs, monkey fists and tasers tried to intrude into our territory. They were thwarted by 50 of our Jawans. Not an inch was given.
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) December 13, 2022
They added that the skirmish had resulted in “minor injuries” and that the injured Indian troops were airlifted on Friday afternoon and admitted to 151 Base Hospital in Basistha, Guwahati.
Another source from the Indian Army revealed that at least six Indian soldiers were injured in the incident.
Indian media reports, however, have claimed that 20 Indian soldiers and “a much higher number on the Chinese side” sustained minor injuries. They have also stated that around 300 PLA soldiers were involved in the face-off.
#WATCH | On India-China face-off in Tawang sector, BJP MP from Arunachal-East, Tapir Gao says, "...I heard that a few injuries were reported on Indian side but PLA suffered much more injuries...Indian soldiers at border won't budge even an inch...The incident is condemnable..." pic.twitter.com/H2G429ab1Z
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2022
At least three Indian army units and 600 Chinese soldiers were present at the time of the incident, reports allege.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has not confirmed any of these reports or figures.
The latest clash marks their first such confrontation since 2020.
China claims all of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector as its own territory and refers to it as South Tibet. Both sides generally patrol the disputed border only lightly armed in order to minimise the risk of escalation.
PLA recently upgraded a road and built some portion entirely new. It helps improve logistics to their main artery connecting Tsona Dzong and Bum La.
— Nature Desai (@NatureDesai) December 12, 2022
Area is witness to multiple clashes in last 2 decades due to differing perceptions of the frontier.
(2/4) pic.twitter.com/xOjFWv0Cmn
The northeastern state of India was also the theatre of conflict during the 1962 India-China war, following which the LAC has remained a controversial issue for the two neighbours.
After years of relative peace, the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which killed 20 Indian soldiers and as many as 45 Chinese soldiers, reignited tensions.
Since the incident, India and China have held 16 rounds of Senior Commander-level meetings, which have resulted in mutually agreed “no patrolling zones” and complete disengagement in the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Tso area.
In fact, the two sides began the disengagement process at Gogra Hot Springs (PP-15) on 8 September as per an agreement reached at the 16th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting in July.
They also withdrew troops and took down temporary infrastructure set up along the LAC for the first time since the 2020 clash.
The two sides remain deadlocked in discussions on the Depsang Bulge in the Daulet Beg Oldi sector and the Charding Nullah Junction in the Demchok sector. As a result, they maintain around 60,000 troops along the LAC.