SOURCE: AFI
An old video, purportedly from a tense border clash in the Chumi Gyatse (Dongzhang) region of Arunachal Pradesh, has resurfaced and gone viral on social media, capturing a dramatic yet comical encounter between Indian Army troops and two soldiers from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The footage, believed to be from the pandemic-era skirmishes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), shows two PLA soldiers attempting to hide in bushes with grenades in their mouths, seemingly in a desperate bid to evade capture.
In stark contrast, the Indian soldiers, unfazed by the situation, can be heard delivering a series of humorous taunts, including phrases like “No go! Ben de lode, sit, sit!” and “Momo la rha h, momo!”—a lighthearted jab referencing the popular steamed dish associated with Chinese cuisine.
The Chumi Gyatse Falls, located in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district near the LAC, is a strategically sensitive area just 250 meters from the India-China border, as defined by the McMahon Line. The region, revered by the Monpa community for its 108 holy waterfalls, has been a flashpoint for India-China tensions, with previous clashes reported, including a significant skirmish on December 9, 2022. The viral video is believed to depict an earlier incident, likely from the 2020-2021 period when border tensions were at their peak following the Galwan Valley clash.
In the footage, two PLA soldiers are seen cowering in bushes, each holding a grenade near their mouth, possibly as a threat to deter Indian troops. The Indian Army soldiers, however, appear in complete control, with one soldier delivering a colorful commentary in Punjabi-laced Hindi, laced with insults and humor. The phrases “Ben de lode, sit, sit!” (a crude insult translating to “sit down, you fool!”) and “Momo la rha h, momo!” (implying the PLA soldiers are only good for “bringing momos”) have sparked laughter across social media platforms, particularly on X, where users have praised the Indian troops’ fearless and witty response.
The video’s re-emergence in May 2025, as noted in posts on X, comes on the heels of a successful disengagement agreement between India and China, raising questions about its timing. Some speculate it was released to counter earlier Chinese propaganda videos showing captured Indian soldiers, while others see it as a morale-boosting display of Indian troops’ dominance in border confrontations. The footage aligns with reports of Indian soldiers overpowering PLA troops in physical confrontations, showcasing their tactical superiority and confidence in high-altitude terrain.
The Chumi Gyatse area has a history of contested patrolling, with China repeatedly attempting to alter the status quo. In 2022, a clash in the Yangtse area near the falls involved 200–600 PLA soldiers using spiked clubs and taser guns, only to be repelled by a swift Indian response, with some reports claiming 63 PLA soldiers were briefly detained. The viral video likely captures a similar moment, highlighting the Indian Army’s ability to handle PLA incursions with both force and flair.
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