New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said no Indian soldier has sustained severe injury or has been martyred in the latest stand-off with China in Arunachal Pradesh as he addressed the Lok Sabha amid furore by Opposition. "In this face-off, few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I'd like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. With timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own location, Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha.
During his address, Rajnath Singh said that Indian troops tackled and stopped the PLA troops who encroached in Yangtse area of Tawang sector and tried to change the status quo. "On Dec 9 in Yangtse area of Tawang sector PLA troops encroached upon & attempted to change status quo.This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory&forced them to go back to their post", says Defence Minister.
He also said that the matter has been taken up to China and tried to reassure the House that the forces are committed to guard our borders. "This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," Rajnath Singh said.
Earlier, Rajnath Singh called for a high-level meeting after a stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops near Tawang at the Arunachal Pradesh Line of Actual Control. According to the sources close to ABP News, the meeting was held with Army Chief General Manoj Pandey and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Senior Air Force and Navy commanders were also present in the meeting.