Ladakh: 20 Indian soldiers martyred in clashes with Chinese Army, several injured

Mubarak Ansari
Pune, June 17, 2020: Indian Army has finally issued a statement about the clashes in Galwan valley in Ladakh. “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 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 protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation”, the Army issued the statement late on Tuesday night.

In response to media queries on the situation in the western sector of the India-China border, the Government of India official Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in Eastern Ladakh. Senior Commanders had a productive meeting on 6th June 2020 and agreed on a process for such de-escalation. Subsequently, ground commanders had a series of meetings to implement the consensus reached at a higher level.

While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley. On the late-evening and night of 15th June, 2020 a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there. Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.

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. 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.”

There are reports of casualties on the Chinese side also but there is no clarity. Media reports said that 43 Chinese soldiers are injured, dead in the clashes. Helicopters were seen in the area to evacuate the casualties on the Chinese side.