Tawang Clash: China's PLA Sent Over 300 Soldiers, Sustained More Injuries Than Indian Army

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the Chinese Communist Party sent over 300 soldiers to the face-off site in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on 9 December, ANI has reported.

According to the news agency, the Chinese side suffered more injuries than India in the clashes near the Line of Actual Control.

"Indian troops in area of face-off in Tawang gave befitting response to Chinese troops. Number of Chinese soldiers injured is more than that of Indian soldiers," the agency's report said.

"Chinese had come heavily prepared with around 300 soldiers but didn't expect Indian side also to be well prepared," it added.

The development comes amid heightened tensions along the LAC since May 2020, when China deployed a large number of troops and heavy equipment to change the status quo in eastern Ladakh. India had made counter deployments in response, leading to a tense military standoff.

The standoff led to clashes in the Galwan valley in June 2020. A total of 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in the violent clash. While China has acknowledged four casualties, it may have lost as many as 35 soldiers.

While India and China have disengaged from all the friction points that emerged in 2020, the two sides continue to retain a large number of troops and heavy equipment in the depth areas along the LAC.

China claims almost the entire state of Arunachal, including Tawang, as part of "south Tibet." Tawang, which also borders Bhutan, hosts the Galden Namgey Lhatse, the world's second-largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, the largest being the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Also Read: Explained: Why China Wants Tawang