Sources, for their part, said that the 300 soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), who intruded across the LAC armed with wooden clubs and sticks, apparently wanted to gain access to a peak that offers a commanding view into the high-elevation region at approximately 17,000 feet.
But the Indian soldiers deployed there, who also called for reinforcements, forced the PLA troops to retreat in the ensuing lengthy hand-to-hand fighting which left several wounded on both sides with broken bones, bruises and other wounds. China, in turn, said on Tuesday that Indian troops had “illegally crossed” the disputed border to block a routine PLA patrol during the incident.
India’s defense minister, however, clarified that PLA troops had provoked the confrontation and that India has asked China to “refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquility along the border” through both military and military channels. what diplomats.
In a brief statement in both houses of Parliament after a high-level meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Army Chief General Manoj PandeSingh said, “The Chinese attempt (on December 9th) was contested by our troops firmly and resolutely.”
“The ensuing confrontation led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from trespassing into our territory and forced them to return to their posts. The scuffle resulted in injuries to some personnel on both sides. There are no deaths or serious casualties on our side,” he added.
The minister said that PLA soldiers had returned to their positions due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders. The Indian brigade commander in the area later held a flag meeting with his PLA counterpart on December 11 to stress that China should desist from such actions.
“Our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempts made upon it. I am confident that the entire House will stand united in supporting our soldiers in their valiant effort,” he added.
This isn’t the first time the PLA has tried to gain access to the 17,000-foot peak in the forbidding terrain of Yangtse, or the “Mago-Chuna” area as it is militarily called. A similar offer by the PLA was thwarted by Indian soldiers in October last year, TOI reported.
Tawang is one of India’s most defended regions along the 3,488 km LAC with China, which claims it as part of “South Tibet” and had conquered it in the early days of the 1962 war.
Yangtse is one of eight major hotbeds with China in the eastern sector of the LAC. The others are Namkha Chu, Sumdorong ChuAsaphila, Longju, Dichu, Lamang and Fish Tail-1 & 2 in Dibang Valley.
