Col J P Singh
Chinese troops transgressed in the Indian claimed area on 9th December 2022 in Tawang Sector as reported by the media and stated by Raksha Mantri in the Parliament. This incident led to a brawl between the opposing troops causing serious injuries on both sides. Silver lining is that Indian Army firmly thwarted PLA attempt to alter the LAC. LAC is as sacrosanct to the Army as to the nation. Nation has reposed its faith in Indian Army to defend it. Rest assured it will be defended as stated by Army Commander of the Eastern Command during Vijay Diwas celebrations. Same has been amply reiterated by the prime minister and the defence minister inside and outside the Parliament. Incident happened on 9th December, promptly resolved by local commanders as reported but it came to light three days later. When the Parliament is in session, three days black-out of this happening looks strange and intriguing and raises questions. That is why media is on it vehemently and the opposition is after this security matter forcefully despite Raksha Mantri’s statement in both the houses.
The media is agog with reports of a bitter clash in the area of Yangtse in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Different versions of the incident have emerged in the media. Considerable ruckus is also seen in the Parliament. One of the report suggests that PLA wanted to demolish our post which was successfully thwarted by our soldiers. The whole issue is reported to have been resolved after a flag meeting by the local commanders but what was the issue hasn’t been spelt out clearly. Six of our injured soldiers are said to have been airlifted to the Guwahati Base Hospital. It suggests that there was a fight. It wasn’t a skirmish per se.
This is the first reported clash between the two sides after Galwan clash in Ladakh in June 2020 in which we lost 20 brave and precious lives. Our troops even captured some Chinese including a Colonel of PLA who were later released in exchange. After Galwan it was felt that PLA understands the temperaments of the Indian Army and will never try any misadventure against it again. But that turns out to be our misconception as the PLA is growing with aggression against Indian Army. It is provoking Indian Army again and again even if it is meeting with the same fate as in previous transgressions where it had to beat a hasty retreat. Army sources have revealed that around 200 PLA soldiers tried to transgress the LAC, but our troops contested them in a firm and resolute manner. Both sides have suffered minor injuries. Citing Govt officials, a report stated that Indian Army troops were on their routine patrolling when PLA troops initiated an argument leading to the reported clash. Chinese defence spokesperson has stated that it was Indian Army which transgressed. It may not be taken lightly because as far as I know our defence posture is aggressive all along the borders. The clash that lasted for several hours was but natural because none was carrying the weapons and ammunition. As a consequence to our quick and resolute reaction PLA troops returned to their defences after having suffered injuries, more than our troops. Other reports suggest that it was 300 PLA troops who tried to cross the LAC when 50 Indian Army soldiers challenged them but within half an hour the reinforcements arrived to thwart the intended transgression. Chinese are said to be carrying spiked wooden clubs, tear-guns and monkey fists worn on the wrist. Indian troops didn’t have tear-guns but had everything else and even more than what the Chinese had as seen in the video projected to be true. But nothing is far from speculations because at this point of time there should be enough snow on the Tawang heights. Hence the videos in circulations are in the realm of skepticism. Each and every report on the incident may be taken with a pinch of salt.
Spokesperson for China’s Western Theatre Command said, “the brawl happened during a regular border patrol when Indian troops illegally crossing the border were intercepted by Chinese counterparts and that their troops response was professional, firm and standard, which helped to stabilize the situation”. The Global Times tweeted: “China won’t back down on the border issue. India should fully understand China’s stand and will after several clashes, and give up illusions”. A bitter skirmish couldn’t have happened on routine patrolling activity. I have served in Eastern Arunachal ahead of famous Walong battlefield of 1962 in late 70s and done extensive patrolling along the LAC. One of my coursemate Capt Amrik Singh’s Patrol was captured by PLA those days and kept prisoners for nearly 6 months before they were released. PLA had been aggressive even then. Hence analysed tactically and tactfully, it emerges that the brawl occurred when the PLA either tried to uproot our post or establish a new post in the no-man’s-land. It is only my guess. It is quite lucrative proposition for any opponent to do so during the inclement weather such as in Tawang these days. The video being shown purportedly of the December 9, 2022 clash is obviously an old one given that many face-offs have happened in Yangtse earlier also. Patrols don’t carry concertina coils as seen on the video but if PLA was to establish a new post, concertina coil had to be part of the defence stores. And at 14,000 feet there should be snow and troops should be dressed in more woolen or in snow clothing. Hence the dots needs to be connected if the video is to be believed. Three days black-out of the news also suggests that PLA may have done such nefarious activity. They faced the humiliation is a cause for us to celebrate.
Some of our Union Ministers are busy singing the clichés of not giving up ‘even one inch of territory’ and not permitting China to ‘unilaterally change the status quo of the LAC’. But in reality we have lost control of over 1,000 sq km of our territory in Ladakh since 2020. China has successfully moved the LAC Westward. On top of that we vacated the Kailash Range in our own territory because of threats that China would have conveyed through the diplomatic channels or the reasons best known to the army. The fear of more aggression from PLA may have led the govt to follow a policy of appeasement towards Beijing. This is apparent from the growing trade balance in China’s favour despite Galwan and Covid. Aren’t we helping China to grow faster and modernize the PLA even faster. That is why opposition is creating a ruckus in the Parliament and its leaders are purporting PLA preparing for war while our govt is sleeping and that too on the Army’s glorious Vijay Diwas Day. Xiping would be happy to see all this Halla-Gulla.
This Tawang clash was perhaps to test Indian Army’s reaction to transgressions and its ability to reinforce a location. The question arises are we also prepared to undertake similar actions to send a strong signal to China and test PLA’s capabilities. Or our policy makers consider it too dangerous to do so. Let there be no illusions that China will escalate conflict in the near future. The brazen act of Chinese President distributing maps showing Ladakh and Arunachal part of China and J&K part of Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Uzbekistan in September 2022, which was also attended by Prime Minister Modi is enough indication of his intentions. Is scrambling fighter jets in Arunachal an answer to the question in nation’s mind. Would the govt come out with a concrete defence policy on the LAC or leave it to the army alone to fight the PLA out on the LAC. Can we ask the army will it be able to defend LAC tomorrow also with its Agniveers in the forefront.
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