India China border / China increases chopper activity across LAC to airlift its casualties: Report

There has been an increase in Chinese chopper activity across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to airlift casualties suffered by them in the face-off with Indian troops in Galwan Valley, ANI reported citing sources. China is estimated to have suffered over 40 casualties including both killed and wounded, ANI further reported. Twenty Indian soldiers were martyred in the clash.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Jun 17, 2020, 03:16 PM

New Delhi: Increase in Chinese chopper activity has been observed across the LAC to airlift casualties suffered by them during face-off with Indian troops in Ladakh's Galwan valley, sources confirmed to ANI.

Indian intercepts have revealed that Chinese side suffered 43 casualties including dead and seriously injured in the face-off, sources confirmed to ANI.

The violent face-off happened on late evening and night of June 15 in Ladakh's Galwan Valley as a result of an attempt by the Chinese troops to "unilaterally change" the status quo during de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh and the situation could have been avoided if the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side, India said on Tuesday.

At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the violent face-off, government sources said and added that the casualty numbers could rise.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that both sides suffered casualties in the violent face-off and the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held two review meetings over developments in Eastern Ladakh during the day.