Chinese miscalculation at Tawang Area.
Is there any ulterior motive behind Chinese move to occupy 17,000 feet peak and establish as observation post to look around Indian preparations to the Tawang area?
Why did they pick this time….. just before tons of snow falls in this area?
Why did they bring a force of 200/300 soldiers to do this job?
Chinese wish to grab the Tawang town and then negotiate rest of the LAC issue. They already have Aksai-Chin plateau in Ladakh. Without that Tibet could not be connected to Sinkiang in the China’s West. They also wished to have Tawang, the birth place of Dalai Lama under their control. That will strengthen their hold over Tibet. It was in 1962 that they had Tawang in their hands but good sense prevailed and they vacated it. Now they want it back. I am guessing that future Dalai Lama will be found in Tawang or in the surrounding areas hence they want Tawang under their control. My guess is that forward Chinese border commanders closer to the Tawang area have been asked to expedite its capture. That is why they have been mounting repeated attempts to grab high ground like 17,000 peak just north of Tawang. That will allow them to monitor Indian Army preparation in the area. If satellites and drones could do that job then they would not need an observation post on high ground.
They picked this time of year because Indian troops thin out from forward post before the onset of snow. This year unfortunately on the day of the fist fight the snow had not fallen hence most opportune time for them to occupy the high ground. Unfortunately things did not go as planned for them. India was fully aware of Chinese intent and kept hundreds of soldiers 30 minutes away, should the Chinese attempt occupation. In fact they tried and got beaten back. Hence the Chinese intent was floored.
The Chinese forward observers had told their commanders that about 50 India soldiers were at the post which they wished to demolish on their way to the high ground. To overcome 50, they sent a force of 200 to 300 and do a quick work of the resistance at 3.00 am in the morning. There is sufficient light at that time in the east as sun comes much early in the east. The Indian commanders did not wish to alert the Chinese of a larger force, hence they played ruse of transfer of unit at the post which resulted in greater than usual number of personnel at the post. In fact a much larger force was standby and only 30 minutes away. Chinese took the bait and moved in to demolish the post. Resulting melee with 300 Indian soldiers arriving very quickly scarred the hell out of the Chinese, who thought that it was a quick work like at the Pangong Lake in Ladakh in 2020. They were surprised and scarred. They organized themselves into an arrowhead formation to attack but of no avail…..
Bravo the Indian Army, Chinese plans were foiled.