Indian, Chinese Soldiers Clashed In Arunachal's Tawang Sector On 9 December

Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Yangtse area of the Tawang sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh.

"On 9th Dec 2022, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides. Both sides immediately disengaged from the area," news agency ANI reported, citing unnamed sources.

"As a follow-up of the incident, India's Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity," it added.

India thwarted an attempt by over 300 Chinese soldiers to enter the area and dislodge an Indian post, reports say.

In October 2021, India detained multiple Chinese soldiers for a few hours after a similar incident had taken place in the area.

The development comes amid heightened tensions along the LAC since May 2020, when China deployed a large number of troops and heavy equipment to change the status quo in eastern Ladakh. India had made counter deployments in response, leading to a tense military standoff.

The stand-off led to clashes in the Galwan valley in June 2020. A total of 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in the violent clash. While China has acknowledged four casualties, it may have lost as many as 35 soldiers.

While India and China have disengaged from all the friction points that emerged in 2020, the two sides continue to retain a large number of troops and heavy equipment in the depth areas along the LAC.

China claims almost the entire state of Arunachal, including Tawang, as part of "south Tibet." Tawang, which also borders Bhutan, hosts the Galden Namgey Lhatse, the world's second-largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, the largest being the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Also Read: Explained: Why China Wants Tawang