Highlights: 20 Indian Soldiers Killed; 43 Chinese Casualties In Ladakh

US Says It Is Closely Monitoring India-China Border Clash In Ladakh
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."

PM's Late-Night Meet With Top 4 Ministers, Army Chief Over Ladakh Clash
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."

China Should Not Test India's Resolve: Congress Leader Ashwani Kumar
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.

Words Cannot Describe Pain I Feel: Rahul Gandhi Offers Condolences To Soldiers Killed In Clashes With China
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.

US Hopes For Peaceful Resolution Amid India-China Border Clashes
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.

UN Chief Expresses Concern Over India-China Border Clashes, Urges "Maximum Retraint"
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.

Deeply Anguished And Pained, Tweets Sonia Gandhi After 20 Soldiers Killed In Clashes With China
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.

Army Statement On Ladakh Face-Off: Total 20 Jawans Killed In Ladakh

43 Chinese Casualties, Reports ANI Citing Sources
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.

20 Indian Soldiers Killed In Ladakh: News Agency ANI
At least 20 soldiers have been killed in a face-off with Chinese Army in Ladakh region, news agency ANI has reported.  

Mamata Banerjee Pays Tribute To Soldiers Killed In Ladakh
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.

Full Statement: Face-Off Result Of Attempt By China To Unilaterally Change Status Quo
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.

India's Foreign Ministry On India-China Clash
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.
"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."

The Three Armymen Who Were Killed In Action

"India's Integrity Will Not Be Compromised Under PM Modi": JP Nadda
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.

"This Is Their Culture": JP Nadda Accuses Congress Of Playing Politics On Ladakh Issue