At least 20 Indian soldiers killed in the violent face-off with China in Galwan valley in Eastern Ladakh. Casualty numbers could rise, Government Sources asserted in a statement on June 16. Notably, The Indian Army initially stated on June 16 that an officer and two soldiers were killed. But in a late evening statement it revised the figure to 20 saying 17 others who “were critically injured in the line of duty and exposed to sub-zero temperatures at the standoff location succumbed to their injuries.”
Read Also, China justifies censorship of information about casualties in Ladakh clash
As per the report, Twenty Indian soldiers including a Colonel were killed in a “violent face-off” on Monday night with Chinese troops at in Ladakh’s Galwan valley, in the most serious escalation at the border in five decades, at a time soldiers of both sides were in the process of disengagement. However, More than 43 Chinese soldiers have been killed or seriously injured. Also, Increase in Chinese chopper activity observed across the LAC to airlift casualties suffered by them during face-off with Indian troops in Galwan valley, reports ANI quoting sources.
Read Also, Ladakh clash: Deeply anguished and pained, Sonia Gandhi on killing of soldiers in border clash
‘Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at the Galwan area’: Official statement from the Indian Army
- Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at the Galwan area where they had earlier clashed on the night of 15/16 June 2020. 17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the standoff location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain have succumbed to their injuries, taking the total that were killed in action to 20.
- Indian Army is firmly committed to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation.
Read Also, Indian soldiers were outnumbered 1:5 during Galwan clashes
Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at stand-off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain have succumbed to their injuries, taking the total that were killed in action to 20. Indian Army is firmly committed to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation, added Indian Army.
Read Also, 3 Indian Army men killed during face-off with Chinese soldiers
China’s vice foreign minister Luo Zhaohui and Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri met in Beijing on Tuesday, sources informed. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s associate spokesperson Eri Kaneko stated that, “We are concerned about reports of violence and deaths along the Line of Actual Control between India and China. We urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint. We take positive note of reports that the two countries are engaged in deescalating the situation.”
Read Also, Pak military leadership briefed by ISI top brass, as new playbook for Kashmir takes shape
Earlier, Army had reported that an Indian Colonel and two soldiers were killed on Monday night in a massive escalation at a time there were efforts to defuse weeks of tension at the border. India retaliated and there were casualties on both sides, asserted the army. Army sources say the soldiers were not shot but were killed in a physical fight on Indian Territory that involved stones and batons.
Read Also, Ban Chinese firms from govt tenders as tribute to slain soldiers: RSS affiliate to Centre
Despite all of this, The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on June 16 appealed to the Centre to bar Chinese companies from participating in tenders floated by the government and exhorted the people to boycott Chinese products as a tribute to the Army soldiers killed in a fierce clash with troops of China in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.
Last Update: June 17, 12:19:58 AM IST.
