
Galwan Valley Ladakh India-China Highlights: A total of 20 Indian Army personnel were killed during a violent clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on Monday night, escalating the already volatile border standoff between the two sides, an army statement said Tuesday.
PTI reported that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Monday night’s clash as well as the overall situation in eastern Ladakh after he held a high-level meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs.
As per news agency ANI, senior military officials from both sides held a meeting in Galwan Valley to defuse tension.
This is the first time in 45 years that India has suffered casualties in a face-off with China. “17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the 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,” the Indian Army said in a statement late Tuesday.
According to sources, there were casualties on the Chinese side as well. Quoting sources, PTI reported that the Chinese side also suffered “proportionate casualties” but chose not to speculate on the numbers.
As per ANI, Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane’s planned visit to Pathankot military station was cancelled. The news agency quoted Army sources as saying that Major Generals of India and China are talking to defuse the situation in the Galwan Valley. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also reviewed the “current operational situation” in Eastern Ladakh.
For the last five weeks in the Galwan Valley region of Ladakh, large number of troops from India and China were engaged in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation. The report of violent incident comes days after after Gen MM Naravane, Indian Army Chief, said both that armies have begun disengaging from Ladakh’s Galwan Valley region.
Highlights
After a violent face-off between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh that left casualties on both the sides, the Indian Army on Tuesday evening issued a statement saying that Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at Galwan area — the spot where clashes occurred on the night of 15/16 June. |READ MORE
Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at Galwan area where they had earlier clashed on night of 15/16 June: Army statement (PTI)
Indian Army says a total of 20 Indian soldiers have died in Ladakh's Galwan Valley (PTI)
Indian & Chinese troops have disengaged at Galwan area where they had earlier clashed on the night of 15/16 June. 17 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: Indian Army (ANI)
Even as efforts were initiated to de-escalate in certain locations along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, without firing a single bullet there was casualties on both sides. “It was more of clubbing, stone pelting, and knives were used which caused fatalities,” revealed sources who wished to remain anonymous. |READ MORE
The area where the troops of both sides are confronting is the first time since 1962. Though the LAC is clearly defined here, this is the first time that tensions are brewing in Eastern Ladakh. |READ MORE
Increase in Chinese chopper activity observed across the LAC to airlift casualties suffered by them during face-off with Indian troops in Galwan valley: Sources to ANI
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 (ANI)
Indian intercepts reveal that Chinese side suffered 43 casualties including dead and seriously injured in face-off in the Galwan valley: Sources confirm to ANI
At least 10 Indian Army personnel killed in violent face-off in Ladakh's Galwan Valley: government sources (PTI)
No exact numbers but Chinese side also suffered casualties in Ladakh face-off: government sources (PTI)
Unless both sides resort to non-violence and dialogue, perpetual peace might be a problem and Tibet is the reason why this tension is happening: Lobsang Sangay, President, Central Tibetan Administration on India-China face off in Galwan Valley. (ANI)
Shiv Sena deputy leader Priyanka Chaturvedi demands "clarity" from Union government on stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh (PTI)
India, China should immediately initiate high-level talks to defuse situation and advance process of disengagement: CPI(M) (PTI)
Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had agreement at higher level been scrupulously followed by China: MEA
We are firmly convinced of need for maintenance of peace, tranquillity in border areas and resolution of differences through dialogue: MEA
China's Vice Foreign Minister, Luo Zhaohui and Indian Ambassador to China, Vikram Misri meet in Beijing: Sources (ANI)
We remain firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity: MEA
Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side: Ministry of External Affairs
On late-evening & night of June 15, a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by Chinese side to unilaterally change status quo there. Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had agreement at higher level been scrupulously followed by Chinese side: MEA
Borders of India will remain intact & are intact under leadership of PM. During de-escalation process underway in Galwan Valley, Ladakh, violent face-off took place with Chinese Army. Indian Army gave befitting reply. Unfortunately, we lost our 3 army men: BJP President JP Nadda (ANI)
We now have the political will and our Army "is fully equipped to take any adverse (sic)": BJP chief J P Nadda on Indian army's violent face-off with Chinese troops (PTI)
BJP president JP Nadda said that borders of India will remain intact and are intact under the leadership of PM. During the de-escalation process that was underway in Galwan Valley in Ladakh, violent face-off took place with the Chinese Army. Indian Army gave a befitting reply. Unfortunately, we lost our three army men.
"The borders of India will remain intact under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi. During the de-escalation process that was underway in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, a violent face-off took place with Chinese Army. Indian Army gave a befiting reply, but unfortunately, we have lost our three army men. I pay homage to them for their sacrifice and I can assure you that under the leadership of PM Modi, India’s territorial integrity will not be compromised," BJP tweeted Nadda as saying from its official handle.
"We now have the political will and our Army is fully equipped to take on any adversary," he added.
SS Deswal, Director-General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police leaves from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after attending a meeting. ITBP, along with Indian Army guards the Indo-China border. (ANI)
India China standoff: Left parties said that India and China should initiate talks to defuse tensions between the two countries in eastern Ladakh. The CPI(M) called on the government to come out with an 'authoritative statement' to explain what happened in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley, and said that high-level talks should be initiated between the two nations to defuse the situation. 'It is unfortunate that during the de-escalation process on the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, a clash has taken place at the Galwan Valley. This has taken place after the talks between the two sides at a high military-level began on June 6 to discuss the process of disengagement. Both the sides have reported casualties,' a statement from the CPI (M) said.
CPI also said in a separate statement that the present standoff can be resolved through talks and established frame-works agreed by both the countries. (PTI)
Indian troops again crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley region and purposefully launched provocative attacks, leading to severe clashes and casualties, China's Global Times said, quoting People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command Spokesperson
Colonel Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of the 16 Bihar regiment lost his life in the violent face-off with Chinese soldiers in Galwan valley area near Patrolling Point 14: Indian Army Sources tell ANI.
India-China standoff: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane have left from the residence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This was the second successive review meeting in a day. (ANI)
The area where the troops of both sides are confronting is the first time since 1962. Though the LAC is clearly defined here, this is the first time that tensions are brewing in Eastern Ladakh. In 1962, China attacked India across the eastern and northern borders. And the construction of a road between Xinjiang and Tibet was the trigger for this. Around 179 km of this highway which passes through Aksai Chin in the Indian Territory is better known as G219. The road the Chinese had built then was without India’s consent. Read More
PTI reports that China has lodged a protest with India over the June 15 violent face-off between the troops of two countries. The protest was "mentioned" during a meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui, Indian Ambassador here Vikram Misri said. "There was a meeting at the (Chinese) foreign ministry during which what happened at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on Monday was discussed, Misri said.
India China standoff: Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the main opposition DMK, have condoled the killing of an Indian Army officer and two soldiers in eastern Ladakh and paid rich tributes to their supreme sacrifice, PTI reported. Hailing the sacrifice of the three Army men, DMK president M K Stalin offered his salutations to the brave men and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. One of the soldiers hailed from Kadukkalur village in Ramanathapuram district of southern Tamil Nadu, he said, adding that he had served the Army for 22 longs years.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane have arrived at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence, reports ANI.
BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar has come out strongly against the death of an Indian Army officer and two soldiers in a violent face-off with Chinese troops and appealed to people to support the armed forces. In a series of tweets, Chandrasekhar, who is a former member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, hit out at China and the Communist Party of China (CCP) over the incident. The BJP Rajya Sabha member called upon people to 'get behind the men and women in our armed forces and support them strongly, unitedly and patiently.' (PTI)
PTI reported that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about last night's clash as well on the overall situation in eastern Ladakh after he held a high-level meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs. According to a senior military officer, it is the first incident involving the casualty of an Indian soldier in a violent clash with the Chinese Army after 1975 when four Indian soldiers were killed in an ambush at Tulung La in Arunachal Pradesh.
Three Indian soldiers including a commanding officer having been martyred in a face off with the Chinese army in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, this is deeply upsetting. While I give my condolences to the families & my prayers for the departed soul to find peace. I urge the Govt of India to take this matter with utmost urgency and seriousness: Sachin Pilot Tweets
Three Indian soldiers including a commanding officer having been martyred in a face off with the Chinese army in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, this is deeply upsetting. While I give my condolences to the families & my prayers for the departed soul to find peace. I urge the Govt of India to take this matter with utmost urgency and seriousness: Sachin Pilot Tweets
Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday termed as 'disturbing' the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley and said the government should offer a clearer picture to the nation on the border issue, PTI reported. He sought to know as to how Indian soldiers lost their lives during a de-escalation process and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh should come out with a clearer picture, PTI quoted Former PM as saying. Read more
It is time now for the Centre to take some stringent measures as each sign of weakness makes the Chinese reaction more 'belligerent', Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Tuesday. His remarks came after an Army officer and two soldiers were killed in a violent confrontation with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on Monday. 'The happening in the Galwan Valley is a continuation of violations by China. It is time now that the country stands up to these incursions. Our soldiers are not fair game that every few days officers and men are being killed and injured defending our borders,' Singh tweeted. Read More
PTI reported that the Congress Party has asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to confirm the Galwan incident, the party also demanded that the government take the nation into confidence and convene a meeting to brief the leadership of political parties about the ground situation. "It is a matter of serious national concern as it has grave implications for national security," PTI reported Congress senior spokesperson and party's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma as saying. "As we have been requesting, the government should urgently take the nation into confidence. We demand that the government immediately convene a meeting and brief the leadership of political parties about the ground situation," he said.
India China Ladakh standoff: Even as efforts were initiated to de-escalate in certain locations along the Line of Actual Control in Easter Ladakh, without firing a single bullet there was casualties on both sides. “It was more of clubbing, stone pelting, and knives were used which caused fatalities,” revealed sources who wished to remain anonymous. Read Huma Siddiqui's report