New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh allayed fears of both the Houses on the recent clash between the Indian Army personnel and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and reiterated that Indian forces are committed to guard the borders and will thwart any attempt to challenge it.
"In this faceoff, few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I'd like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations, Rajnath Singh informed both the Houses.
"On Dec 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner," Rajnath said divulging the details of the incident, which was kept under the wraps until Monday evening.
"The ensuing face off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts. The scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides. I wish to share with this House that there are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side," Rajnath said.
"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 said in his statement first placed before the Lok Sabha.
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As a follow up of the incident, local Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart on Dec 11, 2022 to discuss the issue in accordance with established mechanisms. The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquility along the border, the Minister said, in the statement, which was repeated in Rajya Sabha as well amid Opposition uproar demanding an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, and the Services Chiefs have briefed the Defence Minister on the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The security forces updated him recently on the clashes between troops of both sides in Tawang border.
The clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh rocked the Parliament with several Congress MPs demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation at the border. The Congress MPs have given adjournment notices in both houses of Parliament to discuss the border situation with China.
While Manish Tewari has given a notice in the lower house, Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and Syed Nasir Hussain have given similar adjournment notices in the upper house. Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 and the face-off resulted in "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides", the Indian Army had said.
Also read- Cong MPs want discussion on India-China face off in RS, LS
