In a significant escalation of the ongoing over 30-month military conflict in eastern Ladakh, which has seen China bolster its military installations all along the frontier; several Indian and Chinese soldiers were hurt in a fight in the important Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh last week.
The extended physical clash between the rival soldiers took place at Yangtse on December 9 morning after 300-400 soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intruded across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which was “contested” by Indian soldiers deployed there “in a firm and resolute manner”.
Troops from both sides sustained fractured limbs and other injuries in the clash. At least six wounded Indian soldiers were evacuated to the military hospital at Guwahati, a source said.
The Army, in a brief statement, said: “Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow-up of the incident, our commander in the area held a flag meeting with his (PLA) counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquility.
“In certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang sector in Arunachal, there are areas of differing perceptions, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006.”
To prevent any PLA misadventures, India has stationed a sizable contingent of soldiers in Tawang, which China claims is a part of south Tibet. The PLA has already breached the area across the LAC to destroy unoccupied bunkers and other facilities on the Indian side.
