India-China updates: China is reportedly upset with India's construction of roads, air strips.
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:
Rajnath Singh says loss of soldiers in Galwan "deeply disturbing"
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today on Twitter said: "The loss of soldiers in Galwan is deeply disturbing and painful. Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army."
Four soldiers critical after violent face-off with China: Report
Four Indian soldiers are in critical condition after the violent face-off with Chinese troops at eastern Ladakh on Monday evening, news agency ANI reported quoting sources.
The Army confirmed yesterday that 20 soldiers were killed in the fight at Galwan Valley in Ladakh. 43 Chinese soldiers have been killed or seriously injured, ANI reported quoting sources who based the information on intercepts.
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.
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 LadakhThe Army has said that the 17 Indian soldiers, who were critically injured in the line of duty at the stand off location, have died of their injuries.
"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," the Army said in a statement.
"Indian Army is firmly committed to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation," the Army statement added.
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 QuoAfter 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 India's Foreign Ministry On India-China ClashIn 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
The three Armymen who were killed during the face-off with China are - Colonel Santosh Babu (from Telangana), Havildar Palani (Tamil Nadu) and Sepoy Ojh (Jharkhand).
"India's Integrity Will Not Be Compromised Under PM Modi": JP NaddaBJP 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.
"Borders of India will remain intact&are intact under leadership of PM. During de-escalation process that was underway in Galwan Valley in Ladakh,violent face-off took place with Chinese Army.Indian Army gave befitting reply.Unfortunately,we lost our 3 army men," he added.
"This Is Their Culture": JP Nadda Accuses Congress Of Playing Politics On Ladakh Issue BJP Chief JP Nadda has accused the Congress party of playing politics over the Ladakh issue.
"When we were fighting the Kargil war, Sonia Gandhi ji had asked for a RS session. The then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had called an all-party meeting, but Congress didn't participate. This is their culture. During the time of crises, Congress always created political issues," JP Nadda was quoted as saying by BJP Live on Twitter.
"Words Can't Describe...": Rahul Gandhi Pays Homage To ArmymenCongress 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.
"India Stands Behind Armed Forces": Congress Leader
Congress leader Anand Sharma has said that country stands behind its Army in the situation.
"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.
China Alleges Indian Troops Launched "Provocative Attacks"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 "Shocking, Unacceptable": Congress On Death Of Officer, Soldiers In LadakhThe 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 "I Salute Their Indomitable Courage": VK Singh Pays Tributes Soldiers
"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.
Officer, 2 Soldiers Who Were Killed In Ladakh Were Not Shot: Army SourcesMilitary 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 Editor Of Beijing Mouthpiece Global Times Acknowledges Casualties For ChinaFive 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 "No Unilateral Action, Don't Stir Up Trouble": China To IndiaAfter 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 comment was made by China's Foreign Ministry.
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 Global Times Editor TweetsA senior reporter for The Global Times, a mouthpiece of the administration in Beijing, tweeted that five Chinese soldiers were killed and 11 injured in clashes with India at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. 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."
"Chinese Side Also Suffered Casualties": Global Times Editor
"Chinese side also suffered casualties" in face-off in Ladakh, says editor of China government mouthpiece Global Times.
India-China Face-Off
Major Generals of both sides are meeting currently, according to an official statement.
India-China Face-Off
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."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and the three service chiefs.
India says "casualties on both sides" after Indian Army officer, 2 soldiers killed in "violent face-off" with China in Ladakh
Military officials from India and China are meeting now to "defuse the situation" after an Indian army officer 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.
Beijing accuses India of "attacking Chinese personnel": news agency AFP after 3 Indian soldiers killed in "violent face-off".