Taking note of the recent border clash between Indian troops and Chinese soldiers General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita breaks his silence on Friday.
Meanwhile, Kalita said, the transgression by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) patrol was “contested firmly”. The flag meeting at a delegation level helped to resolve the matter.
The clash between Indian troops and Chinese troops took place in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh.
The top minister said, “You all are aware that all across the border there are different perceptions in the Line of Actual Control (LAC), there are eight recognized disputed areas where the different perceptions are acknowledged by both sides. So in one of those areas, where there are different perceptions of the LAC, PLA patrol transgressed and which was contested very firmly.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh said, in the Line of Actual Control in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh Tawang Sector China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress.
Rajnath Singh stated, “Our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it.”
“On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops firmly and resolutely,” Rajnath Singh said.
Union Defense minister further said, “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,” said Singh. He further said, “the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides.”
Rajnath Singh clarified and said, “There are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations.”
Moreover, on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of Vijay Diwas Lt Gen RP Kalita’s remarks came.
However, Lt Gen RP Kalita also requested people to not believe any rumors about the incident.
“I am happy to say that it was contained at the local level. Though some minor injuries were there to soldiers of both sides. I would also like to request you not to listen to any rumors, it was only minor injuries to soldiers from both sides,” Kalita said.
“The local Commanders were able to resolve the issue by carrying out negotiations resorting to the existing protocols, which was followed by a flag meeting at the delegation level at Bumla, wherein the issue has been resolved further. Presently, I would like to assure you that the border areas along the northern frontier are stable and we are firmly in control,” Kalita said.