76 Indian soldiers were injured and are in hospital after the clashes in Ladakh. (Representational)
Ten Indian soldiers, including four officers, had been detained by the Chinese Army after the violent clashes of June 15 in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action. They are all back with the Indian side now. The release of the men, including two Majors, came about after three days of negotiations in the Galwan Valley headed by a Major General of the Army.
NDTV had held back the story while the soldiers were being detained by the Chinese to ensure no risk to negotiations.
The Army, while not commenting on the details of the release, has said that all soldiers involved in the clash with the Chinese have now been accounted for.
"It is clarified that there are no Indian troops missing in action," the Army said in a brief statement on Thursday.
China today claimed it had not seized any Indian soldiers. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the claim at a daily press briefing in response to questions, according to state-run CGTN.
He said the two neighbours are in talks to ease tensions. "Regarding the serious situation in Galwan valley, right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility entirely lies with the Indian side. India and China are in talks to ease the situation," Zhao said.
Seventy-six Indian soldiers were injured and remain in hospital after the clashes. All of them are expected to return to duty within 15 days. None are in a critical condition.
The soldiers were assaulted by the Chinese with iron rods and clubs wrapped in barbed wire laced with nails.
China has not given any figure but at least 45 Chinese soldiers have been killed or injured, say army sources.
Satellite images indicate a massive Chinese buildup in the Galwan Valley on their side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but within a kilometer of Indian positions.
There are no signs of the Chinese moving their forces back from the region, with satellite images indicating construction activity near the LAC in Galwan.
The last time the Chinese military had taken Indian soldiers captive was in July 1962 after a clash in the same region, Galwan Valley. At least 30 Indian soldiers were killed and several dozens were captured by the Chinese.
The clash in Galwan Valley is the biggest confrontation between India and China after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while the number of dead on the Chinese side was over 300.