Fresh visuals circulating online and in defence circles show Indian Army infantry soldiers standing eye-to-eye with troops of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during a tense face-off near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. The images capture the stark reality of ongoing confrontations in the eastern sector, where both sides remain deployed in close proximity.
Keywords: India-China border standoff, Arunachal Pradesh LAC, PLA face-off Taksing, Doklam standoff, Galwan Valley clash, Line of Actual Control, ITBP confirmation
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur confirmed on 22 October that face-offs have occurred at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh and continue. The primary flashpoint remains the Taksing area in Upper Subansiri district, particularly around Asaphila and the Maja company operating base. According to government sources, the standoff began in late July during routine Indian patrols. After an initial confrontation, PLA troops returned in larger numbers and established tents on elevated ground approximately 6-7 km inside India’s perception of the LAC. Indian forces have since reinforced their positions.
This is not an isolated episode. The India-China border has witnessed repeated friction. In 2017, the 73-day Doklam standoff near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction saw Indian troops physically block Chinese road construction in disputed territory claimed by Bhutan. In June 2020, the Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers in fierce hand-to-hand combat, the deadliest confrontation in decades. Subsequent years brought prolonged deployments across multiple friction points in Ladakh, including Pangong Tso, Hot Springs and Depsang, alongside the 2022 Yangtse incident in Arunachal.
Despite high-level military talks, including the first Corps Commander-level meeting in the eastern sector in September 2026 and ongoing diplomatic mechanisms, ground realities remain tense. Indian Army and ITBP units continue long-range patrols, supported by specialised teams. The situation underscores the persistent challenge of differing perceptions of the need for sustained vigilance.
While both sides maintain established protocols to manage incidents, the latest face-off serves as a reminder that peace along the 3,488-km LAC requires constant operational readiness alongside dialogue.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
