An officer of the Indian Army and two soldiers have been martyred in reported aggression between Indian and Chinese Armies along the Line Of Actual Control (LAC). Casualties have been inflicted on the Chinese side as well. The incident in Galwan Valley comes amid the ongoing diplomatic and military level talks between the two countries over the border dispute. Also Read | Ladakh: Why Is It The Centre Of Indo-China Tensions?
The violent face-off took place on Monday night. Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation. Army has also clarified that the face-off did not involve firing from any side.
However, in case of non-deployment of guns, aggressive actions including stone pelting, punches, rifle butts may have been used during a violent scuffle.
"During de-escalation process in Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place last night with casualties. The loss of lives on 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," Army said in a statement.
The killing of Army Officer along with two Jawans could really heat up the already simmering tensions between the two countries.
Beijing accuses India of crossing border, 'attacking Chinese personnel': AFP
After the tensions, China has accused India of crossing border and attacking Chinese personnel, news agency AFP has reported. However, as per sources, it was a spirited attack on India from the Chinese side, India did not provoke the Chinese troops.
Crucial meeting between Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Staff:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held an hour-long important meeting with CDS General Bipin Rawat. Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane was also present in the meeting, sources have said. Singh has called for another meeting over the issue, before that he will brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the developments.
Army Chief had said the situation along the border was under control
On Saturday, Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane had said that the situation in Indo- china border was under control. He had said that that there has been a series of talks with Corps Commander regarding the situation.
"I would like to assure everyone that the entire situation along our borders with China is under control. We are having a series of talks which started with Corps Commander level talks and has been followed up with meetings at the local level between Commanders of equivalent ranks," he had said.