Bengaluru: In a major development along the Line of Actual Control in the Galwan Valley, Indian and Chinese soldiers were involved in a violent clash on Monday night, leaving a commanding officer and two jawans dead on the Indian side.

 
China on Tuesday alleged that the Indian troops crossed the border line twice on June 15 for illegal activities and provoked and attacked Chinese personnel which led to serious physical conflict between the two sides, contesting the Indian Army's position that the violent face-off took place between the troops during the "de-escalation process" in the Galwan Valley.

 

The Indian Army confirmed the incident and said, “During the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday night with casualties on both sides. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers.”

 

The Army also said there were casualties on the Chinese side as well. Official sources said there was no firing between the two sides. "There was no firing. No firearms were used. It was violent hand-to-hand scuffles," an Army officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.

 

The incident comes days after Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said both sides have begun disengaging from the Galwan Valley.

 

The Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in a standoff in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh.

 

Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar took to Twitter and condemned the Chinese attack on Indian soldiers.

 

He wrote, “Biggest mistake Comrade #Xi #CCP n #PLA has made in its history. Aftr death of 3 @adgpi bravehearts - #China n #CCP an official enemy of India n all Indians 😡 All Indians must be patient n united 🙏🏻the #CCP bully must be taken on n defeated - economically n militarily 🇮🇳”

 

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A sizeable number of Chinese Army personnel even transgressed into the Indian side of the de-facto border in several areas including Pangong Tso.

The Indian Army has been fiercely objecting to the transgressions and demanded their immediate withdrawal for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the area. Both sides have held a series of talks in the last few days to resolve the row.