Sanjha Morcha

Fixed-wing aircraft accidents on rise, parliamentary panel asks civil aviation ministry to take remedia

Fixed-wing aircraft accidents on rise, parliamentary panel asks civil aviation ministry to take remedial steps

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, December 17

A consistent increase in the number of accidents involving civilian fixed-wing aircraft over the past few years has prompted a parliamentary committee to ask the Ministry of Civil Aviation for taking remedial steps.

“The Committee notes with serious concern that the fixed wing aircraft accidents have been increasing steadily from six in 2018 to seven each in 2019 and 2020 and nine in 2021,” Parliament’s Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture said in its action taken report on Issues related to Safety in Civil Aviation Sector tabled this week.

Seeking the reasons for the steady increase in the number of accidents and remedial measures taken to stop them, the Committee recommended that “the root cause for such accidents be seriously investigated and recommendations of the investigation reports may be implemented without any delay to reduce the number of accidents”.

On the other hand, the committee observed that the number of accidents involving helicopters had reduced. While there were two such accidents in 2018 and three in 2019, there were no helicopter accidents in 2020 and 2021.

On its part, the ministry has stated that under the Annual Surveillance Program, surveillance, regulatory audits and spot checks of aviation service providers are carried out. Enforcement action, including financial penalty, is imposed if violations are detected during the checks.

All accidents and incidents are investigated as per the provision of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. Safety recommendations emanating from the investigation reports are followed up for implementation. Regulatory assessment is carried out by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following an accident or incident to identify deviation from the established procedures and preventive measures, including enforcement action, are taken if required.

The Committee also sought an update from the ministry on the status of a state-of-the-art flight recorders laboratory being established for joint use by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and DGCA for accurate and faster investigations.

The Committee also asked the ministry to provide details of the mechanism proposed by the inter-ministerial Core Group on Safety to ensure that damage caused by any sort of accident in the transport sector is minimised by timely and effective coordination between the various ministries and departments.


Bravely thwarted China’s bid to alter status quo: Rajnath Singh in Parliament

Bravely thwarted China's bid to alter status quo: Rajnath Singh in Parliament

Giving details about the clash, Rajnath said the transgression attempt was contested in a “firm and resolute manner” by the Indian Army and the PLA troops were compelled to return to their posts. PTI
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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13

The Indian Army thwarted an attempt by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and unilaterally alter the status quo in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector on December 9, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament today. Giving details about the clash, Rajnath said the transgression attempt was contested in a “firm and resolute manner” by the Indian Army and the PLA troops were compelled to return to their posts. The issue has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels, he said.

“The face-off led to a scuffle and the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA troops from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to retreat… The scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides. There are no fatalities or serious injuries on our side,” he said.

Rajnath made identical statements in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. “The local commander (Indian side) of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart yesterday to discuss the issue in accordance with the established mechanisms,” he said.

The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. “Our armed forces are committed to protecting Indian territorial integrity and will continue to thwart such attempts,” the minister assured the House. He said he was confident the entire House would stand united in supporting the Indian soldiers, he concluded.

The Opposition walked out alleging they were not allowed to say anything on the matter. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla cited rules of the House saying no clarifications could be sought on sensitive matters. In the Rajya Sabha too, Deputy Chairman Harivansh refused permission to Opposition MPs to seek clarification on Rajnath’s statement.

अरुणाचल तवांग में चाइनीस सेना ने भारतीय एरिया में कब्जा करने की कोशिश की चाइना की सेना को इतना मारा कि साले पीठ दिखा कर भागते नजर आए यह है हमारी भारतीय सेना का गौरव

ਜਿਹੜੇ ਫੋਜੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪੈਨਸ਼ਨਾਂ ਦੇਖਦੇ ਆ ਆਹ ਵੀ ਦੇਖ ਲਵੋ ਕਿਵੇ ਬਾਡਰਾਂ ਤੇ ਡਿਊਟੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਆ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਮੋਟਰ ਤੇ ਗੇੜਾ ਨੀ ਮਾਰਨ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਉਹ ਵੀ ਵਿਦਵਾਨ ਬਣਦੇ ਆ ਬਾਈ ਜੀ ਫੇਸਬੁੱਕ ਵਟਸਐਪ ਤੇ ਪਰ ਦੋਸਤੋ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਜਦੂਰਾ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤ ਹੀ ਬਾਡਰਾਂ ਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਖਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਹੀ ਜਿਆਦਾ ਲੜਦੇ ਐ। ਫਿਰ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਣਦਾ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਜਰੂਰ ਦੇਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਸਰਕਾਰਾ ਨੂੰ। ਇਹ ਤਾਜੀ ਘਟਨਾ ਚੀਨ ਬਾਰਡਰ ਅਰੁਨਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਹੈ।


Tawang face-off: How soldiers from 3 Indian Army units thwarted Chinese aggression in Yangtse

Tawang face-off: How soldiers from 3 Indian Army units thwarted Chinese aggression in Yangtse

ANI

Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), December 13

In the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Yangtse in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh, PLA troops clashed with three units of the Indian Army belonging to different infantry regiments who thwarted their attempt to change status quo on the Line of Actual Control.

Sources on the ground told ANI that the troops belonging to three different battalions, including Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Jat regiment and Sikh Light Infantry, were present at the location of the clash last week when the Chinese tried to unilaterally change the status quo in the area.

The Chinese were armed with clubs, sticks and other equipment for the clash. The Indian troops were also prepared for the clash as they had known the intentions of the adversary, they said.

The Chinese had come with over 300 troops who were pelting stones in an attempt to attack the Indian position but were beaten back badly and forced to retreat to their side of the LAC

One of the units of the Indian Army was on its way out of there and was being relieved by a new unit. However, the Chinese chose to clash on a day when both units were present in the area.

The Chinese Army troops try to enter these areas every year and try to patrol out their claim line which India does not allow.

The Chinese military has been behaving aggressively over issues in Yangtse in the vicinity of the Holydip and Parikrama area on the Line of Actual Control where the Chinese side has been opposing Indian positions.

During the clash, sources said, the Chinese Army had come along with drones apparently to shoot the entire clash in which they were expecting to outnumber Indian soldiers

The Chinese had come with over 300 troops who were pelting stones in an attempt to attack the Indian position but were beaten back badly and forced to retreat to their side of the LAC.

The area has seen clashes between the sides in the recent past also as the Chinese have been attempting their policy of encroaching on the land belonging to all their neighbours.

Home Minister Amit Shah has made it clear that the Indian forces would not allow anyone to capture an inch of land anywhere in the country

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated in Parliament that Indian Army troops bravely stopped the Chinese Army from transgressing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Yangtse area of Arunachal’s Tawang sector on December 9.

“I want to assure the House, that no Indian soldier was killed or severely injured. I also assure the House that our Army is capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country. Our Army is ready to tackle any transgression. I firmly believe the House will support the bravery and courage of our armed forces,” he said.


ASHOKA CHAKRA AWARDEE AMONGST THE YOUNGEST SOLDIERS AND CLOSE TO THE BEST

Brig D S Thukral (Retd)

General perception in the environment is that the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the highest of the Military decorations awarded followed by Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and Vir Chakra (VrC). However the Ashoka Chakra (AC), Kirti Chakra (KC) and Shauriya Chakra (SC) though equal in status, precedence entailing all the attributes as expected to meet the eligibilities is not given expected due primarily because of more TV/Film/Media/Social glorification. Media plays the biggest role in terms of showing serials on the battles/Operations/Instances of getting the PVC, MVC etc plus spreading awareness by making war movies like HAQIQAT, BORDER for MVC and VrC awardees, SHERSHAH on late Capt Vikram Batra, PVC, for displaying the most conspicuous bravery and a distinguished act of valour during the Kargil war.

            I do personally believe that Ashoka Chakra though awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some act of daring or prominent act of valour or self sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy does entail equal risk/exposure to hostile fire, if not more. Stastically PVC awardees have been a total of 21 brave hearts since its inception and 14 of them received this honour posthumously (66%). (Major Som Nath Sharma ,14 Kumaon. Was the first to receive the PVC on 03 Nov 1947 for operation at Badgam near Srinagar Airport).

Ashoka Chakra on the other  hand have been awarded to 86 since its inception on 04 Jan 1952 but 68 out of them received the honour posthumously(79%). (First AC was awarded to Hav Bachittar Singh,2 Sikh, during Hyderabad Operation) .     Figuratively too, it would determine higher degree of risk to life to the AC awardees.

                    Thinline between the two awards is that the PVC,MVC and VrC series is  

conferred on military personnel in the face of the enemy. I would say that every soldier is trained to take on the enemy during war and adopting better tactics but the CI operations, when launched and rewarded are against the unknown  numbers of hostile insurgents and location where in better soldierly qualities get displayed.

           My thinking / perception about the status and equal risk entailed for achieving outstanding results will get substantiated and vindicated with the actuals of the Tekcham, Manipur raid that was carried out in July 1981, when the insurgency in the State was at it’s peak.   The raid was planned / co-coordinated/ controlled based on the information provided by my source as the Brigade Major (BM) of the Brigade and executed by the troops of  17JAK RIF co-located with the Brigade Headquarters at Thoubal.

         On 06 Jul 81, the eventful day, at about 1000 Hrs, a local source, not very reliable walked into my office for the routine freebies distributed under the civic action and mentioned that one of his friend had seen 2/3 armed men in Tekcham village area.  I asked that source to come back in the afternoon with his friend and to lead the raiding party to the location.  I thereafter asked the CO 17 JAK RIF, co-located with the Bde HQ to keep one company strength ready for the raid.  Very reluctantly, he agreed and  mustered a strength of some 70 odd soldiers headed by 2/LT Cyrus Pithawalla, who had just returned to the Bn HQ after the Commando course.  Local source along with his friend came at about 1445 hrs and were married up with 2/LT Cyrus Pithawalla.  Tekcham village just about 17 to 18 kilometers away from Thoubal and just about half an hour drive time.

2/Lt cyrus Pithawalla along with 3 JCO’s and about 70 soldiers with 2 civilians for guidance left Thoubal at about 1500 hrs. Around 1815 hrs, I got a call from Cyrus Pithawalla on the radio that was full of excitement and achievement.  His call ”BM Sir, I have got the king cobra in my bag and killed the rest of the insurgents,  I have hit the headquarters of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army),  the most dreaded insurgent

organization in the Manipur”.  On my query about any injuries to own troops, he retorted “I have got a bullet up my arse and all others are absolutely fine”. Well Cyrus had got a bullet gone through his right shoulder that was provided immediate medical aid by rushing my GSO3 (Int) Capt Ashok K Yadav, a Rimcolian and hardcore soldier, along with Captain Mohanty, RMO, 17 JAKRIF that reached the raid site around 2000 hrs,rendered medical aid.

                 Captain Ashok Yadav while carrying out search of the area, found Mr Shashi alias Sarat Singh, a hardcore PLA member, hiding in the haystack with a rifle. CO 17 JAK RIF later also reached the site of the encounter around 10 pm and carried out mopping up Op like making inventory of items recovered etc.

During the encounter, four Lhasa trained and three hardcore insurgents were killed and the PLA leader N. Bisheswar Singh, Lhasa trained along with Shashi, member were apprehended.  Large cache of arms, ammunition, clothing, printing material, a radio set, recorder, albums along with big cash and expensive items were recovered.  This raid almost finished the insurgency in the state of Manipur and systematic thinning out the troops happened thereafter.

On the instructions of the Lt Col R P Sinh, officiating Bde Cdr, I wrote a number of draft citations for the personnel who had taken part in the Tekcham raid, an AVSM for CO 17 JAK RIF and VSM for self being the BM and the one who planned and organized the Tekcham raid.  Well! 2/Lt Cyrus Pithawalla got the AC so well earned by him through signal communications.  I learnt later on having moved out on posting that my skill of writing citations had earned a couple of  Kirti Chakras and some Sena Medals for the personnel of the 17 JAK RIF.  Trust the then GSO 3 (Int) Capt Ashok K Yadav and Capt Mohanty, RMO of  17 JAK RIF would have got recognition of their prompt action.

In nutshell, Tekcham raid happened to be an operation where in prominent act of valour, self sacrifice and most conspicuous act of bravery was shown by the 2/Lt. Cyrus Pithawalla (Retd as Major General) and was awarded the Ashok Chakra, a rarest of the rare feats.  This narration of the raid will also motivate our junior leaders operating in the CI Ops to put up their best for hitting a jackpot like Cyrus Pithawalla. 

Perhaps it may be worth mentioning that I proved to be a lucky mascot for being BM for HQ 181 Mtn Bde that enabled an award of the most coveted Ashok Chakra.

Brig D S Thukral (Retd)

Mobile 94172 68380

#380, Sector 2 Panchkula

Haryana

MAP SHOWING AREA OF THOUBAL AND TEKCHAM VILLAGE.”

Brig D S Thukral (Retd)

Mobile 94172 68380


Provocation in Arunachal

Chinese misadventures drawing India closer to US

Provocation in Arunachal

THE nation is relieved to know that vigilant Indian troops thwarted an attempt by the Chinese PLA to unilaterally change the status quo in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector on December 9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that Chinese soldiers retreated due to the timely intervention of Indian commanders. The Tawang confrontation is the first major clash between Indian and Chinese troops since the one near Rinchen La in eastern Ladakh in August 2020. In a bid to downplay the latest incident, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said that the border situation is ‘generally stable’, adding that the two sides have maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels.

The high level of preparedness of the Indian forces can be gauged from reports that the IAF scrambled its fighter aircraft deployed in the region after Chinese drones were spotted moving aggressively towards Indian positions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in recent days. China’s provocative moves are apparently linked to its reaction to the India-US joint military exercise held recently in Uttarakhand, about 100 km from the LAC. In a sharp reponse reeking of duplicity, Beijing had told New Delhi that the exercise violated the spirit of border agreements signed between the two nations, while conveniently ignoring its own transgressions and incursions.

China does not want the US to interfere in its relationship with India, but it is not doing enough itself to defuse tensions on the ground. Ironically, Chinese provocations are drawing India closer to America. India needs to take these misadventures seriously not only in terms of national security concerns but also in view of its overdependence on Chinese imports. China is India’s second largest trading partner (after the US), with a huge trade deficit of $73.71 billion. India’s assertion that resolving the boundary dispute is a prerequisite for normalisation of bilateral ties is not matched by the constant growth in India-China trade, which had peaked at $115.83 billion in 2021-22. The ‘Make in India’ initiative needs a big push to put the country on a firm footing to resist Chinese machinations. 


Indian, Chinese troops clash in Arunachal Pradesh

Many injured | Some 300 PLA men came close to LAC in Tawang, leading to a confrontation on December 9

Indian, Chinese troops clash in Arunachal Pradesh

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, December 12

A clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh has broken the tense lull along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). There have been injuries to soldiers on both sides. The incident occurred on December 9, sources in the Indian Army said, adding that the area was well defended against any such misadventure.

Also Read

  • Flag meeting held
  • After the clash, both sides disengaged from the Tawang area
  • Later, area commanders of both armies held a flag meeting

Face-offs in Yangtse

  • There have been face-offs in the Yangtse area in the past
  • One was in Oct 2021 when PLA tried to scale 17,000-foot-high peak

Differing perceptions

Since there are differing perceptions of the LAC, both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006

There are no reports of any deaths so far. This is the first physical clash between the two armies since August 2020 when the two sides had a clash near Rinchen La in eastern Ladakh. The major clash at Galwan occurred in June 2020 while the one near Pangong Tso occurred in April 2020.

Sources confirmed to The Tribune that a clash occurred between the two armies on December 9 along the disputed section of the LAC at Yangtse, some 35 km north-east of Tawang in the western part of Arunachal Pradesh.

Some 300 soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) came close to the LAC in the Tawang sector. Indian troops contested the movement of the PLA “in a firm and resolute manner”.

“This face-off led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides,” the sources added without putting a number to the injured. News agency PTI reported that six of the injured had been admitted to the military hospital at Guwahati.

Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. After the incident, area commanders of both armies held a flag meeting to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity.

There have been face-offs in the Yangtse area in the past. A major one being in October 2021. The Chinese had then attempted to gain access to the 17,000-foot-high peak that provides a commanding view of both sides of the LAC. India is in firm control of the top and its access routes from its side.

“Since there are differing perceptions of the LAC, both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006,” Indian Army sources added.

The Yangtse area is termed ‘Mago-Chuna’ by the Army. The Nuranang river meanders into India from Tibet close to the mountain spur where the 17,000-foot-high peak is situated. Whenever the patrols of both sides meet, the situation is managed according to the established protocol.


Army clerk held in ASI hiring scam

Army clerk held in ASI hiring scam

Chandigarh, December 13

The Crime Branch of UT police has arrested a clerk posted at the Army Headquarters in Jabalpur as part of the ongoing investigation in the ASI recruitment scam. This is the fourth arrest in the case. Earlier, a constable and two others were arrested.

Suspect Anil (20), a resident of Alipura village in Jind, is a lower divisional clerk (LDC) at the Army Headquarters, STC- I, Jabalpur.

The police said Anil’s wife had filled a form for the post of ASI. It is alleged Anil filled another form with fake information to benefit his wife.

“The applicant’s name in the form was mentioned as Rojalesh, which is similar to his wife’s name. Further, other information in the form was similar to that of the suspect’s wife,” said a police officer.

The police claimed the suspect believed by doing so, they would get both roll numbers together. “The candidate who would have appeared against the fake application form would have helped the suspect’s wife in cheating,” said an official. Interestingly, the police claimed the suspect’s wife was not aware of the plan.

Before joining the Army, the suspect ran a cyber café in Uchana, Jind. He was produced in court, which remanded him in two-day police custody. In September, the Chandigarh police had advertised vacancies for 49 post of ASI and received 15,802 applications in response.

During digital scrutiny, several applicants were found to have submitted multiple applications with minor alterations in details, following which a probe was initiated.

On verification, 122 such applications were detected after which a case was registered at the Sector 11 police station on November 30.


Sino-India border situation ‘generally stable’, says China; silent on Yangtse clash

Sino-India border situation ‘generally stable’, says China; silent on Yangtse clash

A file photo shows the Indian army personnel carrying out drills at Kibithu close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. PTI Photo

PTI

Beijing, December 13

China on Tuesday said the situation along the border with India was “generally stable”, days after the troops of the two countries clashed in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in minor injuries to some soldiers on both sides.

Hours after the comments by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on the Sino-India border situation, Senior Colonel Long Shaohua, spokesman of the Western Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), issued a statement, claiming that the clash on December 9 took place when its troops on regular patrol on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) were blocked by Indian soldiers.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin addressing a media briefing here said the two sides have maintained smooth communication on border-related issues through diplomatic and military channels.

Wang, however, declined to provide details of the December 9 clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers at the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in Parliament in New Delhi on the incident in the Tawang sector.

“The Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from encroaching on our territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. Some soldiers from both sides were injured in the skirmish,” he said in his statement in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Singh further said the Army thwarted an attempt by China’s PLA to “unilaterally” change the status quo in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9

There were no fatalities or serious injuries to Indian troops in the scuffle, he added.

Asked about the incident, Wang said, “As far as we know, the current border situation between China and India is generally stable.” Wang also said Beijing hopes that the “Indian side will work with us in the same direction and smoothly deliver the important common understanding reached by leaders of both sides and act strictly on the spirit of relevant bilateral agreements signed by both sides and jointly preserve peace and tranquility in the border areas.”

In his statement, Senior Colonel Long said on December 9, the border defence forces organised regular patrol on the Chinese side of the LAC in “Dongzhang” area in the eastern sector of the China-India border, which was “blocked by the Indian Army illegally crossing the line”

“Our troops’ response is professional, firm and standard, which has helped to stabilise the situation. Both sides have been under disengagement since then,” Long said.

“We ask the Indian side to strictly control and restrain the front-line forces and work with the Chinese side to maintain peace and tranquility along,” he said.

It is the first major clash between the Indian and Chinese armies since the fierce face-off in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

This is also the first major incident at the border after Chinese President Xi Jinping was re-elected for an unprecedented third five-year term at the once-in-a-five-year Congress of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

The Friday clash took place even as both countries held 16 rounds of talks between their commanders to resolve the standoffs at various points since the eastern Ladakh border standoff which erupted in May 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.

The last round of talks was held in September during which both sides agreed to disengage their troops at Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area.

India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the LAC are important for the overall development of bilateral ties.


All is well: Lt Gen C B Ponnappa on situation following clash between Indian, Chinese troops in Tawang

All is well: Lt Gen C B Ponnappa on situation following clash between Indian, Chinese troops in Tawang

PTI

New Delhi, December 13

Days after Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Adjutant General of the Army Lt Gen C B Ponnappa said on Tuesday that all is well and under control.

The Indian Army said on Monday that the face-off on December 9 resulted in “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides”.

Asked about the situation after the clash, Lt Gen Ponnappa told PTI on the sidelines of an event, “All is well and (under) control. We all are safe.”

He addressed the students of Salwan Public School here during its annual event ‘Samman Diwas’ to pay tributes to Indian Army personnel who died in the line of duty.

“It’s a privilege for me to join you all on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff. We shall continue to inspire the generations. Today it is an occasion to honour our soldiers who sacrificed their lives,” he told the students.

At the event, Salwan Education Trust chairman Major General (retired) Sanjeev Shukla said, “As you all know what happened at the border with the Chinese army, so our Army chief was called for a meeting so he could not come here.” He added that Indian soldiers have given a befitting reply to the Chinese army.

“We have sent them back from the land they wanted to grab. We have the bravest soldiers on the borders and we can sleep peacefully till they are there.”


IAF closely monitoring situation along LAC in Arunachal Pradesh

IAF closely monitoring situation along LAC in Arunachal Pradesh

PTI

New Delhi, December 13

The Indian Air Force scrambled fighter jets last week following China’s increasing air activities on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The deployment of some aerial platforms including drones by China in the region preceded the Chinese attempts on December 9 to unilaterally change the status quo in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector, they said.

The people said a number of Chinese drones flew close to the LAC prompting the IAF to scramble the jets and increase the overall combat readiness.

They said the IAF has also stepped up its overall surveillance in areas in view of the Chinese attempt of transgression on December 9, adding it follows standard operation procedures that included scrambling of fighter jets in case of specific security concerns.

“The situation is being monitored closely by both the IAF and the Army,” said one of the people cited above.

The people indicated that the IAF has increased the frequency of sorties by its combat jets in the region.

On Monday, the Indian Army said troops from the two sides clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector and the face-off led to “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides”.

The face-off took place amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

It is learnt that Chief of Air Staff V R Chaudhari reviewed the IAF’s operational readiness following the December 9 incident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament on Tuesday that the Indian troops bravely thwarted the attempt by Chinese PLA to “unilaterally” change the status in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector and there were no fatalities or serious casualties to the Indian troops in the scuffle

“On December 9, 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 in a firm and resolute manner,” Singh 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,” he said.

It was the first major clash between the India and Chinese armies since August 2020 near Rinchen La in eastern Ladakh.

Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a brief face-off near Yangtse in October last year as well and it was resolved following talks between local commanders of the two sides as per established protocols.

The IAF increased its overall strength in various key bases in the eastern theatre including in Tezpur where a fleet of Su-30 jets were deployed.

A squadron of Rafale jets is based in Hasimara air base in West Bengal and it carries out sorties in areas under the eastern theatre as well.