Chinese Commanding Officer Killed In Galwan Valley Clash
The news agency ANI reported that according to its sources, the Commanding Officer of PLA on the Chinese side was also killed in the violent clashes which took place on Monday night between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh sector. 20 Indian soldiers including the commanding officer on the Indian side, Colonel B Santhosh Babu were killed in the fierce clash.
Commanding Officer of the Chinese Unit involved in the face-off with Indian troops in the Galwan Valley among those killed: Sources confirm to ANI pic.twitter.com/MWbEUZezba
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2020
Media reports put the casualty figures on the Chinese side at 43. However, according to American intelligence sources quoted by the media, casualties on the Chinese side number 35.
China accused India of intruding its territory and blamed India for the violence. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) however, issued a statement stating that Chinese troops failed to honour the agreement arrived at earlier by military officials at the highest level on beginning a process of disengagement.
The MEA statement further said that the violent clash on the LAC could have been avoided. The Ministry earlier said that talks are on at the highest diplomatic and military level to de-escalate tensions between the two sides on the border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation on Wednesday along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane in the wake of the clash between PLA troops and Indian soldiers on Monday night during the process of disengagement.
Experts are of the opinion that Indian troops would now be alert along the 4000 km border.
Meanwhile, the US State Department said that it is monitoring the situation on the India-China LAC closely. The United Kingdom hoped that India and China resolve the issue through dialogue.