Fresh details have emerged, giving an account of China’s aggression at various locations apart from Ladakh’s Galwan Valley where Indian and Chinese soldiers came violently face to face in the month of June. There is fresh information that several rounds of clashes took place between the troops of India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). These clashes — a top Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) official told The Daily Guardian that there were at least 6 face-offs between the two sides — in the months of May and June this year.
So, it is not Ladakh’s Galwan Valley alone that witnessed the massive IndiaChina military standoff and clashes. But other points of the region also saw forces of both the sides coming face to face leading to clashes.
Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which is collecting more inputs and details like this from various forces including ITBP to expose China, told The Daily Guardian that there is solid and clinching evidence of numerous physical “clashes and brawls” having taken place between troops of India and China at several spots and locations including patrolling points. Sources said that all these data and records from top officials of the Army as well as ITBP will be shared with the Chinese diplomats and civilian leaders in parleys that have to take place at frequent intervals now. Sources said that the clashes that have been reported include the one at Pangong Tso on 5 May, Sikkim on 9 May and at Galwan Valley on 15 June.
Officials in the MEA say that these details have nailed China’s lies. These inputs will be taken to the world community to expose the real face of China which has been putting its case in a way as if it is a “peaceful” nation maintaining calm along the LAC. The situation is no different today. Chinese soldiers are still creating problems for India forces while patrolling is carried out.
The regions along the LAC saw troops of the ITBP fight shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army and respond to Chinese aggression effectively for up to 20 hours in some cases, the force said on Friday, providing new details of the volatile standoff on the eve of the 74th Independence Day.
According to information, Chinese soldiers hurled stones to attack Indian soldiers along the de facto border in Ladakh. At some places, the clashes lasted for 17-20 hours.
“ The ITBP troops not only effectively used shields to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to PLA advancing troops and brought the situation under control. With the highest order of professional skills, ITBP troops fought shoulder to shoulder and also brought the injured Indian Army troops to the rear,” said an officer. In some areas, ITBP troops fought the whole night but gave a fitting reply to the “stone pelters of the PLA”, the border force said.
Due to the high-altitude training and manoeuvring experience of the force in the Himalayan deployments, the ITBP troops kept the PLA at bay and because of an all-out response of ITBP jawans at almost all fronts, many hypersensitive areas were safely guarded, it added.
As many as 21 soldiers who displayed exceptional courage during such clashes with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh have been recommended for gallantry awards this year by ITBP Director General S.S. Deswal.
A statement released by ITBP said that Deswal has recommended 21 Gallantry medal recommendations, 294 DG Gallantry Commendations for ITBP personnel “for displaying raw courage and bravery” during the face-off with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in May June.
The ITBP is a frontline force along the border with China. It’s the first line of defence is on duty along the 3,488-km-long Chinese border. There are posts of ITBP everywhere and through force patrolling, it protects most of these areas with high altitude.
A top ITBP official told The Daily Guardian that there were at least 6 face-offs between the two sides in May and June and the gallantry medals have been recommended for those who have bravely fought these battles.
