China Ordered Galwan Valley Attack On Indian Troops: US Intel

The US News website carried a report from its senior writer on national security Paul D Shinkman quoting US Intelligence sources stated that it was China which ordered an attack on Indian troops resulting in the violence which took place in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15 which left 20 Indian soldiers martyred.

The report attributes the brutal Chinese attack to the authorisation by a senior Chinese General, Zhao Zongqi, Head of the Western Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army of China. He is reported to be among the few combat veterans who continue to serve in the PLA.

Gen. Zhao is reported to have authorised the attack on Indian troops and is said to have believed that the face-off was a means of teaching India "a lesson". The US Intelligence assessment contradicts the version which the Chinese have been putting forward. It also substantiates what the Indian sources have reported at the highest level.

At the Corps Commanders meeting held on June 6, Indian and Chinese troops had agreed to de-escalate and begin a process of disengagement. Subsequently, Col. Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of the unit posted at the Galwan Valley went for discussions with his Chinese counterpart on June 15, to get the structures erected by the Chinese side removed. The Chinese troops, in a pre-meditated move, attacked him and other Indian soldiers resulting in the loss lives of 20 Indian military personnel, including Col. Santosh Babu. About 43 Chinese soldiers including some officers are believed to have been killed in the attack.

The report also says that the plan to teach India "a lesson" seems to have backfired as it only triggered widespread outrage against China in India. It has also led to calls for boycott of Chinese products.

The Maharashtra government, for instance on Monday, put on hold 3 MoUs worth Rs.5000 crore. Among them was a Rs. 3,700 crore worth deal signed with Great Wall Motors of China.