BEIJING (CU)_For the first time on Friday (Feb 19), China revealed that four of its soldiers died during the border clash with Indian troops in June last year. Chinese state media reported that the men died after fighting “foreign troops” who “crossed into the Chinese border”.
The skirmish last year was the first deadly clash in 45 years, between the two neighbouring countries in the disputed border area in the Galwan Valley, in India’s Ladakh region. Following the incident, India reported that 20 of its soldiers had been killed, and although Beijing acknowledged casualties, they did not disclose details.
Nevertheless, China’s military news outlet PLA Daily on Friday, named the four “heroic” Chinese soldiers who gave their “youth, blood and even life” to the region. The media outlet also said that regimental commander Qi Fabao, who led the troops on the mission and was seriously injured, was also conferred with honorary title.
The clash between India and China was centred around the border separating the two countries, which is poorly demarcated with the presence of rivers, lakes and snow-caps, meaning the line can shift. In the 1960s, the two countries agreed not to attack each other with firearms along the border, however, for the first time in 45 years, the border standoff began in May last year, and escalated in June, turning out to be the deadliest clash between the two sides in decades.
However, last week, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that following a productive discussion with China, the parties have agreed to disengage along the North and South banks of Pangong Lake, and to remove troops from the friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The agreement is expected to substantially restore the situation to that existing prior to commencement of the standoff last year.
