NEW DELHI: Indian and Chinese troops got into a skirmish when 276 men of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) entered the Indian side from four different border points in Arunachal Pradesh. Officials, however, dubbed the incident ‘normal’ and claimed it often happened between the two armies along the border.
The incident occurred at ‘Shankar Tikri’ on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) of Yangtse area in Arunachal Pradesh with the PLA claiming the area belonged to China. The area was immediately covered by the Indian army to prevent aggressive People’s Liberation Army troops from crossing the perceived LAC in the region.
An estimated 215 PLA troops reportedly tried to push their way at ‘Shakar Tikri’ and simultaneously 20 each from ‘Thang La’ and ‘Mera Gap’ and another 21 from ‘Yanki-I’ of Arunachal Pradesh made similar attempts.
Sources claimed that during the normal banner drill, the PLA troops striking an aggressive posture tried to attack Indian army personnel physically but were overpowered immediately.
Sources said the army has officially reported that there was only a “mild scuffle” between the Army and PLA at east of Shankar Tikri.
Tensions reportedly eased only after four PLA officers accompanied by an interpreter met Commanding Officer of the Indian Army formation in the area and presented him with two packets of chocolates and one gift packet to the in-charge of Yanki-I post.
Yangtse is one of the identified disputed pockets between the two countries and is an Indian territory. The PLA carries out unusually big patrols as compared to other areas along the LAC.
The area has been reportedly witnessing transgressions by the Chinese side at regular intervals since 2011.