Chinese, Indian Troops Clash In Tawang, India

20 Indian personnel had sustained 'minor' injuries with a "much higher number on the Chinese side" after soldiers from both countries engaged in hand-to-hand combat one with one another. Image | Google Maps, Enhanced by Donald Standeford.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
December 12, 2022 09:50 pm UTC
Modified: 2022-12-12 09:50 pm

TAWANG - 150 Indian soldiers and 300 Chinese soldiers are reported to have clashed at the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern India near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China on December 9th.

The Indian Army reported that Indian and Chinese troops both suffered minor injuries, but that "Both sides immediately disengaged from the area."

The injuries were sustained as a result of soldiers from the two countries engaging in hand-to-hand combat with one another.

Asian News International (ANI) reported that Chinese troops "contacted the LAC" and were contested by Indian troops "in a firm and resolute manner", leading to a face-off that led to minor injuries of personnel on both sides.

ANI reported that "This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides. Both sides immediately disengaged from the area."

It also reported that "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."

The Hindu newspaper reported that 20 Indian personnel had sustained 'minor' injuries as a result of the "face-off" and that both sides are holding a Flag Meeting to discuss the issue and "restore tranquility".

The Indian newspaper also reported 20 injuries on the Indian side and a "much higher number on the Chinese side" as having been injured in the clash.

The newspaper also said that a few soldiers sustained "fractured limbs" during the clash and are currently being attended to in a hospital in Guwahati and that around 600 Chinese soldiers were present during the clash, but did not say how many exactly took part in the fighting.

The last incident of this kind to have occurred was in 2020 when 20 Indian soldiers were killed and several others injured as Chinese troops clashed with Indian troops in the Galwan Valley in Ladak.