New details emerging from the Indian Army’s gallantry award citations have revealed that tensions between India and China continued along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) through 2021 and until the end of 2022, lasting much longer than previously reported.
During two different investiture ceremonies for the Western and Central Command, held before Army Day on 15 January, the Indian Army presented gallantry awards to personnel for acts of bravery in this regard.
The Incidents
According to a citation, in the first incident in January 2022, several PLA soldiers “attacked” Shankar Tekri — an Indian Army post in the eastern Ladakh region. During physical jostling, an Indian soldier wounded at least four Chinese soldiers and seized their rifles, “forcing them to go back.”
In the second incident that took place over two days in November 2022, Indian troops pushed back a group of 40 to 50 PLA soldiers who were attempting to enter Indian territory by seizing the Atari post after crossing the LAC. A unit of Indian soldiers attacked and injured them, “thus foiling the enemy’s plan to capture the post,” another citation read.
Yet another citation of an incident from the same time was read at the Central Command investiture ceremony. This involved a Major-rank officer relaying live feed from the enemy side in the Sikkim area, for 120 hours. It also made note of the tough conditions and high altitude area in which the officer operated. The officer was awarded the Sena Medal.
The ceremony was for operations between September 2021 and November 2022.
Stable but Sensitive Border
Speaking of the situation on India’s northern borders with China, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said last week that the situation is “stable but sensitive.” “We continue to talk to find a solution to address the balance issues between the two sides. Operational preparedness is very high, and deployment is both robust and balanced,” he affirmed.
Both countries have over 50,000 troops that continue to be stationed in the area.
India-China Border Tensions Continued Well Beyond Galwan Clash Till End of 2022
Both countries continue to have over 50,000 troops stationed in the area along the LAC to date.
January 18, 2024
IMAGE SOURCE: Yawar Nazir/Getty ImagesRepresentative image.