New Delhi: Four Indians jawan seriously injured in clashes in Ladakh-India-China border in Galvan valley Monday night. The death toll is likely to rise, according to official sources. Twenty Indian soldiers have already been killed in the clashes. Three soldiers, including a colonel, were killed and 17 wounded were later pronounced dead at the scene, the Army said in a statement. At least 43 people were killed or wounded on the Chinese side in the clashes, according to news outlets. The wounded are believed to have fallen into the lower Galvan River during a confrontation with the area. Severe winter has made searching in the area difficult.
At the same time, Chinese and Indian troops have withdrawn from the tense Galvan Valley. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held talks with the defense minister, foreign minister, and finance minister. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also held discussions with military chiefs. Vigilance was tightened in border districts.
The unexpected clashes took place Monday night in the Galvan Valley in eastern Ladakh as peace talks progressed. The Army said there were no shootings. Soldiers were attacked with stones and iron rods. The attack was launched late Monday, the military said. The local commanders of both sides began talks in the region Tuesday morning to ease the tension.
The Foreign Ministry said the clash was due to China’s unilateral move. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Saxena said China could have avoided the damage done by both sides if China were willing to implement the high-level agreement carefully. The Galvan valley is located at an elevation of 14,000 ft above sea level.
Colonel B Santosh Babu (Telangana), Havildar Palani (Tamil Nadu), and Shipai Ojha (Jharkhand) of the Bihar Regiment martyred in the clashes as per the first report.
The Chinese newspaper Global Times reported that the Chinese side was also affected. A Chinese spokesperson accused Indian soldiers of crossing the border twice. The Army said the clashes occurred during the military retreat and that both sides were completely destroyed.
Army Chief General MM Naravane postponed Pathankot visit following the incident. Joint Chief of Staff General Bipin Rawat arrived at Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence and informed him. Rajnath Singh held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video call. The Defense Minister has held two-day discussions with the Sena chiefs. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar also participated. The clashes erupted in the first week of May in eastern Ladakh on the India-China border, covering 3,488 km.
