Arunachal Pradesh

Sources say India has begun combat air patrols over Arunachal Pradesh in response to tensions with China

Sources confirmed that fighter jets had to be scrambled “two or three times” in recent weeks to prevent Chinese violations over Arunachal Pradesh.

According to sources, the Indian Air Force has launched active combat patrols over Arunachal Pradesh after detecting “enhanced Chinese air activity.” They revealed that fighter jets had to be scrambled “two-three times” in recent weeks to thwart China.

Here are the top ten points from this massive story:

• According to top sources, the Air Force began air patrols after spotting Chinese jets flying near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. This comes after Indian and Chinese troops clashed at the LAC in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, on December 9.

• Despite massive opposition protests in parliament, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that there was a physical scuffle between the two sides during the clashes last week, but Indian soldiers “compelled the Chinese soldiers to return to their posts” and prevented a land grab. The Indian soldiers resisted “firmly and resolutely,” he said, adding that “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides” occurred and the two sides “immediately disengaged from the area.”

• According to Rajnath Singh, Chinese troops “tried to transgress the LAC in Yangtse and Tawang and unilaterally change the status quo.” “Chinese soldiers returned to their positions due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders.” The Chinese were asked to “refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquilly along the border” at a meeting of commanders, he said, adding that the incident had also been raised through diplomatic channels.
• “None of our soldiers were killed or seriously injured,” the defense minister said, after the opposition staged a walkout.
• China said the border situation was generally stable, but did not comment on the confrontation. “As far as we can tell, the Sino-Indian border situation is generally stable. The two sides have continued to discuss the border issue through diplomatic and military channels and hope India will follow China’s lead,” Wang said. Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.
• Before making his statement in parliament, Rajnath Singh met separately with all three military chiefs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the government’s response.
• According to the government, such clashes have been occurring since 2006 as a result of “different perceptions” about the border. “There are areas of difference of understanding along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector where both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines,” sources said.
• According to the government, the Indian commander in the area met with his Chinese counterpart to comply with “structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquilly.”
• Border tensions between India and China skyrocketed in June 2020, when clashes erupted in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh, killing 20 Indian soldiers and injuring over 40 Chinese soldiers.
• This was followed by a series of clashes between the two countries, including one on the South Bank of Pangong Lake. Following multiple meetings between military commanders, Indian and Chinese troops withdrew from key locations such as Gogra-Hot Springs in Ladakh.