This footage, provided by a Chinese media outlet, shows Chinese and Indian soldiers in an unofficial scuffle on the border between their respective countries. It’s important to note that the Chinese have brought rifles but refuse to use them, keeping this fight and others like it from being an official “outbreak of hostilities.” It appears that even two nations’ standing, professional armies cannot resist squabbling over a hill.

Subscribing to the Kenobi School of Defensive Tactics, the Indians are shown here with the high ground. However, the Chinese forces are simply unable to sustain such an affront. While some of the Indian soldiers have what appear to be hiking or walking sticks, the Chinese have brought riot shields and cudgels- one assumes they just keep those things handy as long as Hong Kong and Taiwan exist.

At 0:46, a Chinese trooper pulls an Indian off the mount, setting the fracas in motion. Both sides are set for a form of warfare that goes back to when mankind figured out thumbs, and like most classical conflicts, it begins with a skirmish phase. Stones start to fly at 0:48, with the Indian soldiers getting the better of the initial engagement. However, Chinese numbers begin to tell the tale as they salvo in reply, and perhaps seeing the (comparatively) heavily armored, Hastati-like charge coming, for which they’d have no answer, the Indian forces conduct a fighting withdrawal.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

Need a tried-and-tested fixed blade that's trusted by police, military and protective service users all over the world? Cole recommends Ironside Edge Works for your tactical or EDC blade needs.