None of Our Soldiers Seriously Hurt or Dead, Rajnath Tells LS, RS on ‘China Trying to Encroach

NEW DELHI: No loss of life or any serious injury to our soldiers was reported during the face-off between India and China in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang Sector, Defence Minister said on Tuesday at the Lok Sabha.

“The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha. The minister added the issue was taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.

“Due to the timely intervention of the Indian military commander, PLA soldiers were forced to retreat. The area’s local commander on December 11 held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart over the incident. The Chinese side was warned against such actions and told to maintain peace. The issue has been raised to a diplomatic level as well,” he said.

“Our troops tackled this attempt in a determined manner. There was physical combat in this face-off. Our troops bravely stopped the PLA from the incursion and forced them to return to their posts. In this fight, soldiers of both sides were injured. I want to assure the House, that no Indian soldier was killed or severely injured,” he added.

Meanwhile, China said that the situation is ‘stable’ on India border after reports of clashes. “As far as we understand, the China-India border situation is stable overall,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, adding that the two sides “maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels.”

Minor Injuries occurred to those involved in the scuffle on December 9. Soldiers were airlifted to 151 base hospitals in Guwahati’s Basistha for treatment.