Tag: Galwan Valley clash

  • Information about casualties of Chinese soldiers cannot be disclosed: CIC

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The casualty figure of the Chinese soldiers in Galwan Valley clash two years back between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops and the Indian Army soldier cannot be disclosed, told the Central Information Commission (CIC).

    In its recent order, the CIC declined to allow a plea seeking to know “the casualties to the Chinese forces, if any, by brave soldiers of the country” inflicted during the clashes between two forces on June 15, 2020. The CIC is the highest appellate body under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

    The RTI filed by applicant Akhand had also sought information about the casualty figures suffered by the Indian soldiers in Galwan.

    Galwan is one of the multiple standoff points where the Chinese moved in their forces after a clash between the troops of both sides on May 5, 2020. The area is near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.   

    The applicant had also asked for information on the rehabilitation and ex-gratia paid to the families. In addition, the RTI applicant had sought to know from the army if Indian soldiers are missing in the Galwan river valley after the clash and its plans to rescue them.

    The army refused to disclose the information as it was third-party information and it cannot be shared under Section 8(1) (j) of the Act, which exempts from the disclosure of information which is personal in nature.

    The army also cited Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act which exempts from the disclosure of information which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence. The information on it was also denied.

    The applicant Akhand argued before the CIC that the matter involves a larger public interest and that the information should be provided to him.

    Information Commissioner Vanaja N Sarna said, “It is noted that a proper reply was given to the appellant whereby it was rightly stated that since the information is related to third parties, the information cannot be provided under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.”

    “It was also stated that the information is sensitive in nature and cannot be provided under section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act. The Commission is unable to find any flaw in the reply, hence, no relief can be given,” she said.

    The Indian Army had lost 20 Indian Army soldiers in the Galwan clash and the Chinese had acknowledged the death of five soldiers during the clash. 

    NEW DELHI: The casualty figure of the Chinese soldiers in Galwan Valley clash two years back between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops and the Indian Army soldier cannot be disclosed, told the Central Information Commission (CIC).

    In its recent order, the CIC declined to allow a plea seeking to know “the casualties to the Chinese forces, if any, by brave soldiers of the country” inflicted during the clashes between two forces on June 15, 2020. The CIC is the highest appellate body under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

    The RTI filed by applicant Akhand had also sought information about the casualty figures suffered by the Indian soldiers in Galwan.

    Galwan is one of the multiple standoff points where the Chinese moved in their forces after a clash between the troops of both sides on May 5, 2020. The area is near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.   

    The applicant had also asked for information on the rehabilitation and ex-gratia paid to the families. In addition, the RTI applicant had sought to know from the army if Indian soldiers are missing in the Galwan river valley after the clash and its plans to rescue them.

    The army refused to disclose the information as it was third-party information and it cannot be shared under Section 8(1) (j) of the Act, which exempts from the disclosure of information which is personal in nature.

    The army also cited Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act which exempts from the disclosure of information which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence. The information on it was also denied.

    The applicant Akhand argued before the CIC that the matter involves a larger public interest and that the information should be provided to him.

    Information Commissioner Vanaja N Sarna said, “It is noted that a proper reply was given to the appellant whereby it was rightly stated that since the information is related to third parties, the information cannot be provided under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.”

    “It was also stated that the information is sensitive in nature and cannot be provided under section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act. The Commission is unable to find any flaw in the reply, hence, no relief can be given,” she said.

    The Indian Army had lost 20 Indian Army soldiers in the Galwan clash and the Chinese had acknowledged the death of five soldiers during the clash. 

  • Monitoring activities by Chinese military: Army on eastern Ladakh situation

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: There has been no attempt by the Indian or the Chinese side to occupy the areas in eastern Ladakh from where they disengaged in February and both sides are engaged in talks to resolve the remaining issues in the region, the Army said on Wednesday.

    The Army said it has been monitoring activities by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) including turnover of troops in the region.

    The Army made the comments as part of a statement trashing a media report that said the Chinese military has again crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh at several places and that there has been at least one incident of clash between the two sides.

    ALSO READ | Worrying: China is creating permanent structures in Ladakh

    “Ever since the disengagement agreement in February this year, there has been no attempt by either side to occupy the areas from where the disengagement had been undertaken.

    There have been no clashes in Galwan or any other area, as reported in the article,” the Army said.

    It also said that the report mentioning that agreements with China have collapsed is “false and baseless”.

    “Both sides have continued with negotiations to resolve the balance issues, and regular patrolling in respective areas continues.

    The situation on ground continues to be as hithertofore.

    ALSO READ | Early completion of disengagement could pave way for de-escalation: India on eastern Ladakh

    PLA activities, including turnover of troops continue to be monitored by the Indian Army,” the Army said.

    India and China have been locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    The two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

    The two sides are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points.

    There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach on it at the 11th round of military talks.

  • In historic move, India deploys 50,000 more troops along China border 

    By Online Desk
    India has moved about 50,000 more troops to the China border amid a stalemate in the disengagement process in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, a Bloomberg report said.

    The additional deployment is expected to give India more options to attack and seize territory in China if necessary in a strategy known as “offensive defence”, the report quoted a senior official as saying. 

    As of now, India has about 200,000 troops deployed on the northern border. Besides, the Narendra Modi govt squadrons of fighter jets to three different areas along the China border in recent months. 

    The redeployment of troops along the border includes more helicopters to transport soldiers from the Kashmir Valley to the high altitude zones along with artillery pieces like the M777 howitzer built by BAE Systems Inc.

    India’s strategic focus has been primarily on Pakistan with which it fought three wars over the disputed Kashmir region. However, in the wake of the deadliest standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh last year, the Modi government has taken several steps to ease tensions with Beijing but at the same time asking the armed forces to be ready for any eventuality, the report said.

    ALSO READ | Situation at border with India generally stable, resolving issues through ‘negotiations’: China

    Meanwhile, in a clear message to China amid a stalemate in the disengagement process in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing soldiers in Ladakh on Monday, said India believes in resolving disputes with neighbours through dialogue but it will not tolerate if provoked or threatened.

    Speaking at an event in a forward location on the second day of his visit to the region, Singh said India is a peace-loving nation that never resorts to any kind of aggression but its armed forces are always prepared to give a befitting reply to those who “show their eyes” to the country.

    Asserting that the nation’s safety and security will not be compromised at any cost, Singh said the solution to any dispute can be found if there is clear intent.

    The defence minister also paid glowing tributes to the 20 soldiers killed in the Galwan Valley clashes in June last year and said the country will never forget their sacrifices.

    “India is a peace-loving nation which does not believe in aggression, however, if provoked, we will give a befitting reply,” he said.

    Singh’s three-day visit to the region comes in the midst of a stalemate in resolving over a year-long standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in several friction points in eastern Ladakh though they withdrew troops and weapons from Pangong lake areas in February.

  • Valour of Galwan bravehearts will be eternally etched in memory of nation: Army

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane on Tuesday led the force in hailing the valour of the 20 soldiers who laid down their lives while defending the country’s territorial integrity in the face of “unprecedented” Chinese aggression at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh a year ago.

    On the first anniversary of the deadly clashes, the Army said the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers while fighting the adversary in the “most difficult” high altitude terrain will be “eternally etched” in the memory of the nation.

    “General MM Naravane #COAS & All Ranks of #IndianArmy pay homage to the #Bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice in Galwan Valley #Ladakh while defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. Their valour will be eternally etched in the memory of the #Nation,” the Army tweeted.

    In the first deadly clash in the border area in nearly five decades, 20 Indian soldiers were killed on June 15 last year in the Galwan Valley in fierce hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops, triggering a large deployment of troops and heavy weaponry by both armies at the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

    In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.

    The Army’s Leh-based 14 Corps, popularly known as Fire and Fury Corps, also paid homage to the “Galwan Bravehearts” on the first anniversary of the violent clashes.

    “In the face of unprecedented Chinese aggression, 20 Indian soldiers laid down their lives defending our land and inflicted heavy casualties on the PLA (People’s Liberation Army,” the Army said.

    Major Gen Akash Kaushik, the officiating General Officer Commanding of the Fire and Fury Corps laid a wreath at the iconic Leh war memorial in paying homage to the fallen heroes.

    The 14 Corps takes care of guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the Ladakh region.

    “The nation will remain eternally grateful to these gallant soldiers who fought in the most difficult high altitude terrain and made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation,” the Army said in a statement.

    Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar regiment, had led from the front against the Chinese aggression near Patrolling Point 14 in Galwan Valley.

    In January, he was posthumously named for Mahavir Chakra, the second-highest military award for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

    Four other soldiers were named for Vir Chakra awards posthumously.

    The Army last year built a memorial for the ‘Gallants of Galwan’ at Post 120 in eastern Ladakh.

    The memorial mentioned their heroics under operation ‘Snow Leopard’ and the way they evicted the PLA troops from the area while inflicting “heavy casualties” on them.

    Days after the clashes, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had bluntly told his Chinese counterpart that the “unprecedented development will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship.

    India held the neighbouring country accountable for triggering the Ladakh standoff by violating rules of engagement on border management and conveyed that peace and tranquillity along the LAC is the basis for the progress of the rest of the relationship and they cannot be separated.

    Months later, Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed on a five-point pact to resolve the row at a meeting in Moscow.

    The two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

    They are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points.

    There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach on it at the 11th round of military talks.

    Last month, Army Chief Gen Naravane said that there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    Gen Naravane also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

    India has been insisting on complete disengagement in remaining friction points to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ladakh. 

  • Accepting casualties in Galwan Valley clash, China blames India for face-off in June 2020

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Eight months after the violent face-off with Indian troops in Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control, China for the first time accepted suffering four casualties.

    They continue to hold India responsible for the confrontation though. Beijing honoured five PLA soldiers — four dead and one injured — for bravery in ‘battle’ with Indian troops.

    The People’s Daily released the names of the four killed — Chen Hongjun, Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Wang Zhuoran.

    This admission comes days after Russian news agency TASS said at least 45 Chinese soldiers had died in the June 15 clash. India had announced immediately that it had lost 20 of its soldiers, including Colonel G Santosh Babu.

    ALSO READ | After months of denial, China accepts its four soldiers were killed in Galwan Valley clash; releases video

    “The report has been revealed to give the truth to the public because the truth is long awaited and it is necessary for the people to know the true story,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

    Hua said India is an important neighbour and restoring a healthy and stable relationship is in the interest of the two countries.

    “I hope the Indian side will work with us towards achieving this shared goal.”

    The face-off between Indian and PLA troops came after Indian soldiers were prevented from reaching their patrolling points.

    Chinese state media has released a video of the June 15 #GalwanValley clash which shows chinese troops gwtting injured @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/ICdwxf69ws
    — Pushkar Banakar (@PushkarBanakar) February 19, 2021

    Though there was no firing reported in accordance with the agreement signed by the two sides, Chinese troops used rods studded with nails and barbed wire to attack Indian soldiers.

    Also, the admission of casualties came on a day when the disengagement process on the banks of Pangong Lake was completed, with the Chinese defence and foreign ministries continuing to blame India.

    “China has exercised great restraint, reflecting China’s tolerance and commitment as a responsible power. However, the Indian side has repeatedly exaggerated and hyped the casualties, distorting the truth and misleading international public opinion,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

    Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said Indian troops had been crossing LAC since June.

    “They even attacked Chinese officers and soldiers who went there for negotiation, thus intentionally triggering physical conflict at Galwan Valley and causing casualties on both sides.

  • China admits to casualties in Galwan clash

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: China on Friday for the first time admitted to casualties during the Galwan Valley clash with Indian troops.

    “Chen Hongjun, Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Wang Zhuoran died in a fierce struggle against foreign troops that violated an agreement and crossed into the Chinese side,” a report in the CCP mouthpiece The Global Times said.

    The Central Military Commission awarded Qi Fabao, the regimental commander from the PLA Xinjiang Military Command, the title of “Hero regimental commander for defending the border,” Chen Hongjun with “Hero to defend the border,” and awarded first-class merit to Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Wang Zhuoran, the report added.

    The Chinese admission comes days after a Russian news agency claimed that Beijing had suffered at least 45 casualties during the Galwan clash.

  • Mahavir Chakra likely for Galwan valley martyr Col Santosh Babu

    By Express News Service
    HYDERABAD: Martyr Col Santosh Babu, who lost his life in a fight with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley clash last year, is likely to be posthumously awarded the second-highest wartime gallantry medal — the Mahavir Chakra — on Republic Day (Tuesday). 

    The martyr’s family, however, claims that they are waiting for an official confirmation. 

    The Indian Army had recommended that the soldiers who foiled Chinese troops’ attempt during the Galwan valley clash should be awarded war-time chakra series awards this Republic Day. The wartime Chakra series awards include the highest Paramvir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.

    This will be the first time since the Kargil War that the wartime gallantry award will be awarded. 

    However, a member from Santosh’s family, on the condition of anonymity, said that they have not received any official confirmation from the government. He said that they received the information from media and are still waiting for an official confirmation.

    The Galwan valley clash took place on June 15 last year when Indian troops led by Colonel Babu took on the Chinese troops near the patrolling point 14 areas. India lost 20 troops in the fiercest clash between the two sides in a long time while the Chinese also suffered significant casualties. The clash led to hardening of India’s stand, which has now allowed troops to use weapons during patrolling after the use of unorthodox weapons by Chinese troops. 

  • Mahavir Chakra likely for Galwan valley martyr Col Santosh Babu

    By Express News Service
    HYDERABAD: Martyr Col Santosh Babu, who lost his life in a fight with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley clash last year, is likely to be posthumously awarded the second-highest wartime gallantry medal — the Mahavir Chakra — on Republic Day (Tuesday). 

    The martyr’s family, however, claims that they are waiting for an official confirmation. 

    The Indian Army had recommended that the soldiers who foiled Chinese troops’ attempt during the Galwan valley clash should be awarded war-time chakra series awards this Republic Day. The wartime Chakra series awards include the highest Paramvir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.

    This will be the first time since the Kargil War that the wartime gallantry award will be awarded. 

    However, a member from Santosh’s family, on the condition of anonymity, said that they have not received any official confirmation from the government. He said that they received the information from media and are still waiting for an official confirmation.

    The Galwan valley clash took place on June 15 last year when Indian troops led by Colonel Babu took on the Chinese troops near the patrolling point 14 areas. India lost 20 troops in the fiercest clash between the two sides in a long time while the Chinese also suffered significant casualties. The clash led to hardening of India’s stand, which has now allowed troops to use weapons during patrolling after the use of unorthodox weapons by Chinese troops.