New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament Tuesday that Chinese soldiers had attempted to intrude into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh’s Yangtse last week “to unilaterally change the status quo”, but their attempts were successfully thwarted by the Indian Army.
He added that the Chinese personnel were forced to retreat due to the “timely intervention” of Indian troops.
Singh was making an official statement in the Lok Sabha on the clashes between the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Indian soldiers on 9 December, which injured several on both sides.
The minister also said no Indian soldier had died or was seriously injured in the hand-to-hand combat that took place.
“We stopped the Chinese from carrying out their attack in Indian territory and sent them back to their posts,” Singh said, adding, “Our forces are committed to ensuring the territorial integrity of India and are ready to take all steps to prevent any threat to it.”
Two days after the 9 December incident, the local Indian commanders had held a flag meeting with their Chinese counterparts. In line with existing protocol and mechanisms for peace and tranquillity along the LAC, they discussed the Friday clashes.
“We told the Chinese not to carry out such attacks in the region, while we reiterated that it is essential to maintain peace at the LAC,” Singh said, explaining the flag meeting.
He also said India had raised the issue diplomatically.
“I’m sure this house will stand united in supporting our soldiers in their brave effort,” Singh concluded.
ThePrint had reported yesterday that over 200 PLA soldiers, armed with spiked clubs with nails on them, monkey fists and taser guns, clashed with Indian soldiers in the tense Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector last week.
Yangtse lies approximately 35 km from Tawang. About 50 Indian soldiers met the Chinese troops and thwarted their attack.
Sources had told ThePrint, that while the Indian troops were not armed with taser guns, they had “everything and more than what the Chinese had” to be able to retaliate.
The clash Friday is the second major incident that has taken place between Indian and Chinese troops in this region — the first being in October, 2021.
Also read: Arunachal clash: Over 200 PLA troops came with spiked clubs, taser guns, Indian soldiers hit back