Tension remains at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China, while the clash at Galwan valley that resulted in 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers losing their lives are known, reports of further clashes are in past are coming in.
There were many clashes between Indian and Chinese troops at the LAC in Ladakh, more than what has been publicly acknowledged. These clashed reportedly occurred during the months of May and June, IndianYug has learned from various sources.
Most of these clashes have ended up in soldiers from both sides getting injured. The new information comes as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is the guarding force at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), announced that it is recommending 21 of its personnel for police gallantry medals.
Sources in the defense and security establishment have revealed that there were many physical clashes and rows between the troops at multiple locations including many patrolling points and rivulets and Nallahs.
Many of these clashes lasted overnight and led to injuries on both sides, the sources said. Both the Army and the ITBP have remained mute about the mention of these other clashes. The clashes that have been reported to the public include the one at Pangong Tso on 5 May, Sikkim on 9 May, and at Galwan Valley on 15 June.
“There were multiple clashes that took place where both the Army and the ITBP personnel were involved. At times the Chinese were larger in numbers and at times we were,” a source said.
ITBP recommends 21 personnel for gallantry
The ITBP has stated that it has recommended 21 of its men for gallantry medals in connection with “face-offs and skirmishes” in May-June, 2020.
Award of President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Police Medal for Meritorious Service to #ITBP personnel on the occasion of Independence Day-2020, said a tweet from ITBP.
Earlier at least 294 ITBP personnel have already been awarded the Director General’s commendation rolls and insignia on the eve of Independence Day. Incidentally, all of these were for events related to China.
The ITBP said in a statement its troops not only effectively used shields to protect themselves but also “responded fiercely” to advancing troops of the People’s Liberation Army 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,” it said.
Also read: India China border border stand-off explained
Several Army personnel were wounded in the clash at Pangong Tso on 5 May. Sources said incidents of injuries to soldiers have occurred in may other locations as well.
Even when the ITBP troops fought the whole night, they received minimal casualties and ensured fitting replies to the “stone-pelters of the PLA”, the statement said.
“At places, they gave a determined stand-off for about 17 to 20 hours throughout the intervening nights,” the force said.
“Due to the high altitude training and maneuver experience of the force in the Himalayas deployments, the ITBP troops kept the PLA troops at bay and due to the all-out and befitting response of ITBP jawans at almost all fronts, many areas were safeguarded in the hypersensitive areas,” it added.
