New Delhi, 17: Tensions on the Indo-China border have spiked to the highest since 1962 after over 20 troops, including an Indian commanding officer, were killed in the face-off in Galwan valley that has seen a six-week long standoff underway with the Peoples Liberation Army.
The Army said that the soldiers – including the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar regiment in charge of the area – died while a `de-escalation process’ was underway. Sources said that this death toll could rise up as some soldiers are currently not accounted for after PLA troops attacked with spiked sticks and stones in the Galwan valley.
Chinese side also has casualties but the number is still not known. The Indian death toll is perhaps the worst single day loss in decades and has come at a time when thousands of troops are forward deployed in Eastern Ladakh.
ET was the first to report on May 12 about a massive troop build up in the Galwan valley, which is an old flashpoint that had seen action in the 1962 war as well.
There have been reports of casualties on the Chinese side in the clash but numbers are currently not available. Worryingly, information from the ground suggests that several Indian soldiers, including four officers, are missing and could have been taken captive by a vastly larger Chinese force. Their status is still not known.
“During the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday night with casualties. 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,” an Indian Army statement reads.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that the clash occurred when the Chinese side violated the LAC. “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,” a statement reads.
The loss of the Commanding Officer is especially devastating and he had been directly involved in de-escalation talks with the Chinese side, including one hours before the clash took place. Sources said that the talks on Monday morning had led to an agreement for Chinese forces to withdraw from Indian territory as part of the disengagement.
According to one version, the CO had gone to the standoff point with a party of 50 men to check if the Chinese had retreated as promised. As the Indian side proceeded to demolish and burn illegal Chinese structures on its side of the LAC, including an observation post constructed on the South bank of the river, a fresh stand off took place as a large force of Chinese troops returned back.
Sources said that a Chinese force in excess of 250 quickly assembled near Patrol Point 14 and were physically stopped by Indian soldiers from entering Indian territory. Soldiers from both sides did not use firearms but the Chinese soldiers carried spiked sticks to attack.
Given the terrain of the region, a part of the standoff and clash took place in the middle of the Galwan river that is currently flowing at full spate, leading to high casualties as injured soldiers got swept away. Indian soldiers have to cross the Galwan river at atleast five points to reach PP 14, which marks the LAC.
Chinese media reports on Tuesday quoted the spokesperson from its Western Theatre Command as laying claim over the Galwan valley region and blaming the Indian side for the clash. Reports quoted Col Zhang Shuili as saying that India has violated the consensus made during Army commander level talks.
As reported, Galwan river area has a painful history with China, with Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers surrounding a freshly set up Indian Army post in July 1962, in what would be one of the early triggers to the Sino-Indian war. At an Army post that was overrun at Galwan, 33 Indian soldiers were killed and several dozen taken captive in 1962.
In the past, the Doklam crisis in 2017 saw tensions building up along the Pangong Tso lake as well with soldiers engaging in a fight with sticks and stones. However, the Eastern Ladakh standoff is of a much more serious nature, with over 6000 Chinese troops lined up with tanks and artillery, faced off with a larger Indian forces. Troop build up has also been reported across the borders in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal.
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Islam is not a religion to add membership to show the population.
It is a true religion to practice guidelines of only one creator Allah (S.B.T). Accepting and quitting Islam will not make any difference for true Muslims. One who understands his creator will not reject his religion even if he dies because his life starts after death which is unlimited. The life in earth is so short that we can compare to hotel stay for a day.
Rejecting Islam means he is rejecting his creator Al Mighty Allah and it doesn’t mean he is quitting from Islam
Islam is the second largest religion in the world only in Qty. where is true Muslim? very few in qty
Accepting Islam doesn’t mean becoming membership in Islam. It is accepting his creator and his guidelines to practice successful and peaceful life and thereby prepare for his permanent life which starts after his death.
For true Muslims there is no fear to die. because he is always prepared and waiting for his death
May Almighty Allah guide us True path and success.
This is really unfortunate. He has chnged in religion only to get the verdict in his favor. Suppose he wont get it, will he convert to Christianity or Budhism or Sikhism? Will the media give same preference in case he would have changed to religion other than Hinduism or if any Hindu converted to another religion. This issue is now on the top agenda of Media and they are publishing it by applying ghee + butter. None knows truth behind it. However this family will not succeed in this world and the life after death if they convert to other religion though none can force them to change the religion. Islam or Muslims will not lose anything if this family converts to another religion. But this family will lose and they will realise it sooner or later. Let us pray God to keep them on right path and not on the path of Sathan.
he would have converted to christinaty so he can get international help from devil DOnald trump or vatican pope, lol religion is your choice, but the main point here the god look at is your heart, how you treat mankind & how you obey GOD command, how to spend you money & how you live..people who worship idol will be throwen to hell forever there is no excuse and the punishment is very severe, if your an eithest there will be a change & it depend on GOD & also how you lived in earth.
The religion is set of law decreed by the CREATOR/ ONE AND ONLY GOD.
It guides from birth till death and showing how to be also succesful in the life after the death.
This is not how we think just to suite the temporary needs.
Before accepting or rejecting any religion, he should have thorough idea of its teachings.
Unless it is known, believed in it and practiced, we can not call him the follower of Hinduism OR ISLAM, OR Christianity OR whatever.
Like changing for personal temporary gains, has no meaning and not required they can live like aninals which have no religions.
The animals follow and do whatever easy for them.
God give wisdom to all
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