Twenty Indian soldiers including a Colonel laid down their lives for India in a "violent face-off" on Monday night with Chinese troops at Ladakh's Galwan valley, the Army has said in a statement.
The Chinese side has suffered 43 casualties, news agency ANI said citing sources, in the most serious escalation at the border in five decades, at a time soldiers of both sides were in the process of disengagement.
Earlier, Army had reported that an Indian Colonel and two soldiers were killed in action 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, said 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.
Here are the updates on India-China face-off In Ladakh:
The Nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stand shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India's breavehearts.
- Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2020
The US is "closely monitoring" the situation following a fierce clash between Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh, and hopes that the differences will be resolved peacefully, a senior State Department official has said."
Modi & Xi had 18 meetings since 14
- Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) June 17, 2020
PM visited China 5 times, most by any Indian PM in last 70 yrs.They have signed several bilateral agreements & protocols to ensure peace
What is outcome-Biggest Indian death toll since 67 border clash
Who is responsible for these brave lives?
The country's top political establishment met late last night, shortly after the army confirmed that 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh."
Why is the PM silent?
- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 17, 2020
Why is he hiding?
Enough is enough. We need to know what has happened.
How dare China kill our soldiers?
How dare they take our land?
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Ashwani Kumar on Tuesday said that the violent face-off between troops of India and China is a matter of "serious concern" for the country and said the neighbouring country should not test India's resolve, reported ANI. "India-China face-off at Ladakh is a matter of serious concern for the country. The tragic martyrdom of soldiers of the Indian Army in aggression by the Chinese troops in Ladakh is testing the nation's resolve and patience. It is necessary for us to take a strategic view of the situation at border and work for de-escalation of hostilities," he said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday expressed condolences over the death of 20 Indian soldiers in a face-off with the Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley, reported ANI.
"Words cannot describe the pain I feel for the officers and men who sacrificed their lives for our country. My condolences to all their loved ones. We stand with you in this difficult time," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
The United States voiced hope that India and China will peacefully resolve differences after at least 20 Indian soldiers died in the Asian powers' deadliest clash in decades.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern on the reports of violent clashes between India and China on the Line of Actual Control and urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint, reported ANI.
"We are concerned about reports of violence and deaths at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China and urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint. We take positive note of reports that the two countries have engaged to deescalate the situation," said Eri Kaneko, Associate Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said she was "deeply anguished and pained" over the killing of Indian Army personnel in a clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, reported ANI.
"My tributes to their undaunting courage and condolences to the bereaved families. We stand together in defending our security and territorial integrity," she said in a statement. "Deeply anguished and pained by the reports of martyrdom of the brave officer and jawans of our Army in Galwan Valley, Ladakh," she said.
Twenty Indian Army personnel were killed in clashes with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border stand-off in the region.
Indian intercepts have revealed that Chinese side suffered 43 casualties including dead and seriously injured in face-off in the Ladakh's Galwan valley, news agency ANI has reported citing sources.
At least 20 soldiers have been killed in a face-off with Chinese Army in Ladakh region, news agency ANI has reported.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has paid tributes to the soldiers who were killed in action during India-China face off.
"I salute the valour of the three Indian soldiers who were martyred at #GalwanValley while performing a supreme service for the nation. My heart goes out to the families of these brave men. May lord give them strength in this difficult time," Ms Banerjee worte on Twitter.
After the death of three soldiers in a clash on Monday night with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday: "A violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there".
Colonel B.Santosh Babu, Havildar Palani and Sepoy Ojha were killed in the clashes that took place just as Chinese troops were getting ready to move away from a location per an agreement.
The Colonel was reportedly assaulted with stones and Indian soldiers retaliated, which led to close unarmed combat for several hours. The soldiers disengaged after midnight. Read More
In response to media queries on the situation in the western sector of the India-China border, India's Foreign Ministry 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.
"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."
BJP Chief JP Nadda has said that Indian Army is well-equipped to deal with the situation in Ladakh. Mr Nadda, addressing a virtual rally, said that Indian Army is backed by the political will and "nobody can cast any ill eye on Modi's India".
"I can assure you that under the leadership of PM Modi, India's territorial integrity will not be compromised. We now have the political will and our Army is fully equipped to take on any adversary. Nobody can cast any ill eye on Modi's India" JP Nadda was quoted as saying by news agency ANI on twitter.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has paid homage to the three soldiers who were killed in a faceoff with Chinese army in Ladakh today.
"Words cannot describe the pain I feel for the officers and men who sacrificed their lives for our country. My condolences to all their loved ones. We stand with you in this difficult time," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Words cannot describe the pain I feel for the officers and men who sacrificed their lives for our country.
- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 16, 2020
My condolences to all their loved ones. We stand with you in this difficult time.
"The violent clash between the Chinese and Indian Army in Galwan valley of Ladakh causing the death of an Indian Commanding Officer and Jawans is a matter of serious national concern. India's security and territorial integrity are non-negotiable," Anand Sharma tweeted.
"India stands united behind our armed forces. The country must be taken into confidence urgently. In a Parliamentary democracy, it is expected of the government to brief the leadership of the political parties of the ground situation, considering the grave implications," he added.
According to Beijing's mouthpiece Global Times, there have been fresh clashes today. Global times quoted the People's Liberation Army Western Theater Command spokesperson as saying Tuesday that "Indian troops again crossed the line of actual control in the Galwan Valley region and purposefully launched provocative attacks, leading to severe clashes and casualties." Read More
The Congress has termed as "shocking" and "unacceptable" the death of an Indian Army officer and two soldiers in a violent face-off with the Chinese troops, and asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to confirm the development.
"Shocking, Unbelievable and Unacceptable! Will the Raksha Mantri confirm," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter.
An Indian Army officer and two soldiers were killed in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night during a violent face off with the Chinese troops, the Army said.
They said senior military officials of the two sides are holding a meeting in Galwan Valley to defuse tensions. Read More
"Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness & sacrifice. Jai Hind!!" VK Singh tweeted.
Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness & sacrifice.
- Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) June 16, 2020
Jai Hind!!
Military officials from India and China are meeting now to "defuse the situation" after a Colonel and two soldiers were killed in a "violent face off" at night in Ladakh on Indian territory. Army sources say the Indian army personnel were not shot; stones and batons were used, they told NDTV, adding that there were "significant Chinese casualties."
The Indian army personnel were killed at Galwan Valley, high in the snow desert of Ladakh, marking a giant escalation of the tension that has been simmering at the border for weeks. While Major Generals from both armies were meeting at the border in Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with the three service chiefs, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. Read More
Five Chinese soldiers were killed and 11 injured in clashes with India at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, tweeted a senior reporter for The Global Times, a mouthpiece of the administration in Beijing. A tweet by the newspaper then stressed that it had not in fact reported on how many casualties China has incurred on any of its official accounts.
The editor-in-chief of the Global Times then tweeted, "Chinese sides also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash. I want to tell the Indian side, don't be arrogant and misread China's restraint as being weak" Read More
After a Colonel and two soldiers from the Indian army were killed at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, China asked India "to not take unilateral actions or stir up trouble", reported news agency Reuters.
The army in an amended statement spoke of "casualties on both sides". Senior government sources told NDTV that the Indian casualties were not shot and that stones and batons were used.
Military representatives of both countries are meeting now at the location to defuse tensions. Read More
#DevelopingStory | "The situation is more serious than what we have seen in past stand-offs, we should look at steps to resolve it": Lt General DS Hooda, Ex GOC, Northern Command on face-off with #China pic.twitter.com/SxFx3bg4Fd
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 16, 2020
"Chinese side also suffered casualties" in face-off in Ladakh, says editor of China government mouthpiece Global Times.
Major Generals of both sides are meeting currently, according to an official statement.
The army statement said: "During the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday night with casualties on both sides. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers. Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation."