Indian, Chinese Troops Clash in Arunachal's Tawang, Several Injured: Reports

New Delhi: Indian and Chinese troops faced off in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on Friday, December 9, which led to minor injuries on both sides, reports said quoting military sources in the know of things.

According to The Hindu, the clash took place at Yangste in Tawang and "several Indian soldiers were injured". Some of them also sustained fractured limbs and are currently recuperating at a hospital in Guwahati. Around 600 Chinese troops were present when the clash took place, the news outlet added.

A defence official told The Hindu that injuries on the “Chinese side were much higher than on the Indian side”, without going into the specifics of the matter.

This is the first clash between Indian troops and the People's Liberation Army after June 15, 2020, Galwan Valley clash in Eastern Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed and several injured.

According to PTI, both sides immediately disengaged from the area after the clash, and the Indian commander held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart to restore peace following the face-off. The news agency also quoted military sources as saying, "Indian troops resolutely confronted Chinese PLA soldiers along LAC in Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh on Dec 9."

This is not the first time since both sides clashed along LAC, and skirmishes emerged out of undefined boundary. "In certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006,” Indian Express quoted a source as saying.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.