China & India Clash Near Tawang, Troops Injured on Both Sides
Chinese and Indian troops clashed at Yangtse in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh on December 9. This led to minor injuries to personnel from both sides. The incident is the biggest along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two nations since the fatal Galwan clash in Ladakh in 2020. Multiple face-offs have occurred between the two nations since the Galwan clash.
India’s Ministry of Defence stated in a press release on December 12 that the face-off in the north eastern part of India occurred when PLA troops contacted the LAC which was contested by Indian troops in a “firm and resolute manner.” It further stated that both sides immediately disengaged and held a commander level flag meeting on December 11 to discuss and resolve the issue.
China’ Western Theater Command stated on December 13 that the Indian Army had illegally crossed the border. This was stopped by a PLA patrol and “dealt with professionally and effectively to stabilize the ground situation. China claims the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and calls it ‘Southern Tibet.’
On December 13, India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh briefed both houses of the Parliament about the clash, stating that Indian troops did not sustain any serious casualties. The PLA was prevented from transgressing and compelled to return to their posts during the physical scuffle, he stated. Singh also stated:
“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.”
Indian reports state that the Indian Army had crossed over after chasing away the transgressing Chinese patrol party which numbered in the hundreds. While the number of troops injured is unclear, a senior Indian journalist tweeted that at least 9 Indian and 22 Chinese troops have been injured. Chinese troops wanted to remove an Indian post, reports stated.
In a press conference Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder commented on the situation and noted that:
“the Department of Defense continues to carefully watch developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at India-China border, we have seen People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to amass forces & build military infrastructure along so-called LAC. It is important to point out the growing trend by the PRC to assert itself and be proactive in areas directed toward the US allies and our partners in Indo-Pacific.
Brig. Gen. Ryder concluded by saying the the US remains steadfast in its commitment “to ensure the security of our partners. We fully support India’s efforts to control the situation.”
The Indian Air Force (IAF) had scrambled Su-30MKIs to tackle Chinese drones “flying aggressively” near Yangste prior to the clash. IAF has intensified air operations to counter increased aerial activity by China. The IAF is set to conduct a major scheduled exercise in north-east India.
A potential ICBM test is also scheduled for December 15-16. China’s Yuan Wang 5 tracking vessel, which had turned around once the area warning for the ICBM test was posted, has ‘moved away’ according to ANI’s sources in the Indian Navy.
Various videos of clashes between Indian and Chinese are being shared on social media. While these are undated they do illustrate the nature of the clashes along the LAC. One such new video is believed to be from the Tawang sector in 2021:
Cover image: Defence minister Rajnath Singh viewing display boards about face-offs and patrols in India’s Eastern sector during a visit to Dibang valley in Arunachal Pradesh in September. (Indian MoD)