India,China Face-Off in Ladakh: Indian Army Officer, 2 Soldiers Martyred in Violent Clashes in Galwan Valley; 5 PLA Soldiers Also Reportedly Killed

Tensions escalated in Ladakh along Line of Actual (LAC) in Galwan Valley after one Colonel-rank officer and two soldiers of the Indian Army martyred in violent clashes with People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. The violent face-off erupted  in the region on Monday night. The martyred soldiers belonged to 16 Bihar Regiment. According to reports, five Chinese troops were killed, while 11 injured in the clashes. It was the first time in 45 years that fatalities were reported along China border. In 1975, four Indian soldiers had attained martyrdom in a Chinese ambush in Arunachal Pradesh.

However, China is playing avictim card. It alleged that the Indian troops crossed the LAC. “Indian troops on Monday seriously violated consensus of the two sides by illegally crossing the border twice & carrying out provocative attacks on Chinese soldiers, resulting in serious physical clashes,” reported China’s Global Times quoting Chinese Foreign Minister as saying.

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “China has lodged solemn representations with the Indian side and urged it to strictly restrain its frontline troops from crossing the border or taking any unilateral action that may complicate the border situation.”

As per reports, Currently, Major Generals of India and China are talking to defuse the situation in the Galwan Valley, Ladakh and other areas after the violent face-off last night in which casualties have been suffered by both sides. Defence Minister Rajnath SIgh is also holding a meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and three services chief. Singh will then brief Prime MInister Narendra Modi.

Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation in Galwan Valley for the last five weeks. Talks are also going on between the two countries. The two armies are engaged in a standoff in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh. Both countries have reportedly built up Army infrastructure along the LAC.