Indian Army fought back bravely, says Defence Min Rajnath Singh on Indo-China clash in Tawang

Indian and Chinese troops had clashed at Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector in the early hours of December 9, 2022. Both the sides are reported to have suffered minor injuries in the fight. This is also the biggest encounter along the borders after the troops from both sides engaged in a brutal fight at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh in May 2020, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed.

Indian Army speaks: A statement released by the Indian Army said,

What happened? The clash took place on the morning of December 9, when around 200 soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) with crude weapons reached the Indian perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which is 35 km from Tawang, The Print reported.

• The Chinese troops were challenged by around 50 Indian soldiers who had also stopped a PLA advance in the area in October last year. 
• In the next half hour, more Indian troops arrived at the scene and a fight ensued from both the sides. 
• This clash, as per sources first started with stone pelting against each other, which later turned into a hand-to-hand combat. 
• Soldiers from both sides suffered minor injuries. Along the Indian side, around 20 soldiers are reported to suffer from minor injuries and they are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Guwahati, Assam.

Opposition attacks the government: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has targeted the Central government, saying that though the Opposition stands with the government on national issues, it must be honest about the Chinese transgressions and the constructions points near the LAC, since April 2020.

"The government needs to take the nation into confidence by discussing the issue in the Parliament," Kharge tweeted.

Leader of AIMIM party and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi also tweeted about the incident. He said, "The reports coming from Arunachal Pradesh are worrying and alarming. A major clash took place between Indian and Chinese soldiers and the government has kept the country in the dark for days. Why was the Parliament not informed, when it is in session?"

Defence Minister addresses the Parliament: On December 13, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Lok Sabha on the India-China troops clash in Arunachal Pradesh. 

• The Defence Minister said that on December 9, 2022 the Chinese troops had attempted to change the status quo at the LAC in the Yangtse region of Arunachal Pradesh.
• He said that the Indian Army put up a brave defence and thwarted any attempts by the Chinese army, forcing it to retreat to its posts.
• Singh added that soldiers from both the sides suffered minor injuries and no Indian soldier was killed or was grievously injured. 

Here is the full statement of Rajnath Singh in the Parliament: