Tawang skirmish: Chinese army alleges Indian troops 'illegally' crossed LAC

The Chinese military blamed the Indian troops for 'illegally' crossing the Line of Actual Control and “obstructing" Chinese border patrol troops leading to the stand-off between the two armies on December 9. According to a statement by a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command spokesman, the Chinese troops “were obstructed by the Indian army who illegally crossed the Line (of Actual Control)". “Our response measures were professional, standard, and forceful, and stabilized the situation on the ground. At present, China and India have disengaged," he added according to AFP.

The clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in northeastern India's Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang Sector on December 9 has evoked strong political reactions in India. Amid the opposition's demand for a 'stern' response to China, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the parliament that while China unilaterally attempted to change the status quo along the LAC, the timely intervention by the Indian troops shunned away the Chinese PLA. Beijing said on Tuesday that the situation was stable along the unresolved border with India, adding the two sides "maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels."

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force launched active combat patrols over Arunachal Pradesh after detecting "enhanced Chinese air activity", reports said. Fighter jets had to be scrambled "two-three times" in recent weeks to thwart China, they revealed.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The proceedings at the Indian parliament's lower house, Lok Sabha (House of the people) were adjourned till mid-day on Tuesday amid constant demand by opposition to respond to the gravity of the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Arunachal Pradesh.

Following the opposition's demands and adjournment notices to address the matter, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave a statement in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

India's timely intervention shunned away PLA: Defence Minister

Singh said thatChina attempted to "unilaterally change the status quo", against which Indian troops responded with a befitting reply. "No Indian soldier lost its life and timely intervention of Indian military commanders shunned away the PLA troops," Rajnath Singh said.

"Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory and forced them to go back to their post," he added.

"This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," Rajnath Singh added further.

Clashes broke out between both sides along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal's Yangste area of the Tawang sector on December 9. Soldiers from both sides sustained injuries as they exchanged barbs with each other.

ALSO READ |Indian soldiers clash with Chinese Army in Arunachal Pradesh, injuries on both sides

The face-off reportedly led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides. At least Indian six soldiers were injured in the clash and were brought to Guwahati for treatment, as per reports by the news agency PTI.

The situation is 'stable': Chinese foreign ministry

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not comment on the reportedclash from Tuesday. He told reporters "as far as we understand, the China-India border situation is stable overall," referring to the unresolved border between India and China, officially referred to as the Line of Actual Control due to its perilous nature.

"Both sides have throughout maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels, it is hoped that the Indian side will advance in the same direction as China," he added.

Beijing urged New Delhi to "earnestly implement the important consensus reached by both leaders, strictly abide by the spirit of the agreements and accords signed by both sides, together uphold the peace and tranquillity of the China-India border region."

Indian parliamentarians had moved adjournment notices in both houses of the parliamenton Tuesday.While Manish Tewari gavea notice in the lower house, Lok Sabha;Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and Syed Nasir Hussain gave similar adjournment notices in the upper house, Rajya Sabha.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge was quoted by PTI as saying: "Again our Indian Army soldiers have been provoked by the Chinese. Our jawans fought in a resolute manner and a few of them have been injured too."

The Congress party also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the government to convey intolerance to Chinese infiltration attempts in a 'stern tone'.

"There is news of a clash between the soldiers of India and China in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. The time has come for the government to leave its wavering attitude and explain to China in a stern tone that its act will not be tolerated," Congress's official Twitter handle INC India stated.

WATCH |India-China Clash: LACtensions escalate, faceoff leads to minor injuries to a few personnel

In another tweet, Congress hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his earlier comments related to the LAC standoff between India and China in Ladakh.

Referring to PM Modi's clarification pertaining to alleged Chinese intrusion, Congress said, "If this mistake had not been made. If China was not afraid of taking the name of China, today it would not have had the capacity to raise its eyes towards our country. Occupying our land, coming to our land and fighting with our soldiers is a distant thing. There's still time... don't be afraid!"

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said, "Our youth are the pride of the country. I salute his bravery and pray to God for his speedy recovery."

The said incident reportedly took place on December 9 in the Yangtse area in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Around 200 Chinese soldiers tried to transgress the LAC, but the Indian troops contested the PLA attempts in a "firm and resolute manner", officers said.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.