The violence comes more than two years after both the armies suffered casualties during a similar skirmish in the Galwan Valley in the high mountains of the Ladakh region. Several media reports suggest that approximately 300–600 Chinese troops crossed the Line of Actual Control in the Yangtse-forest region on 9 December.
Image credit source: NEWS9
At least six Indian soldiers have been injured in clashes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) separating India and China in Arunachal Pradesh. However, the number of Chinese soldiers injured during this period is not known. The clash took place on December 9 in the Yangtse-forest area of Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh. A major news outlet reported that six Indian soldiers were seriously injured, some with broken limbs, and were taken to Guwahati for specialized treatment.
The violence comes more than two years after both the armies suffered casualties during a similar skirmish in the Galwan Valley in the high mountains of the Ladakh region. Several media reports suggest that approximately 300–600 Chinese troops crossed the Line of Actual Control in the Yangtse-forest region on 9 December. The advancing troops faced stiff resistance from the Indian side, resulting in a skirmish.
“Both sides did not use weapons”
However, both sides did not use weapons. Tapir Gao, a BJP leader from the state, told The Telegraph in London that the Chinese attacked Indian Army soldiers. According to The Hindu, some Indian soldiers had broken arms and legs. A video of the clash that surfaced on social media showed a group of Indian soldiers pinning a Chinese soldier to the ground using plastic shields, while another Indian soldier is seen attacking a mini truck parked nearby . Although News9 does not confirm the veracity of this video.
Because of LAC, China adopts aggressive strategy
China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of the autonomous Tibet region and the incident shows a planned move by Beijing. Due to haphazardly demarcated LAC, Chinese army adopts aggressive strategy and repeatedly enters this area. While India claims it as its own. Last year, China settled two villages in the Indian territory of Arunachal Pradesh.
There was a dispute in 2020 as well
Experts believe that China’s lack of military and technical prowess has put New Delhi on the defensive. At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the Galwan clash between the two sides in 2020 and talks between the two sides to restore the status quo ante have failed to yield any concrete results. Following the latest clash, officials said the Indian Army held a flag meeting with its Chinese counterparts and both sides agreed to follow a “certain mechanism to restore peace”.
The latest skirmishes come at a time when India has strengthened its strategic alliance with the West by joining the Quad. China views this move with suspicion. On the other hand, China’s growing proximity with Pakistan poses a threat to New Delhi.
China is showing aggression on LAC
India has also refrained from taking any stand against Russia at the United Nations and other fora over the war in Ukraine, which it hopes will help resolve the dispute with China. But strategic experts believe that China will continue to show aggression on LAC as its geopolitical and economic ambitions have increased.
BJP on target
After the news of the latest clashes became public, the opposition has targeted the BJP-led central government. The Congress is demanding a debate on this issue in Parliament.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The Chinese have again provoked our Indian Army soldiers. Our jawans fought bravely and some of them were also injured.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused the Center of keeping the country “in the dark”, Owaisi tweeted that “the news coming out of Arunachal Pradesh is worrying. A major skirmish took place between Indian and Chinese soldiers and the government kept the country in the dark for several days. Why was it not informed when Parliament was in session?” Click here to read this article in English
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