India-China Face-off: As many as 40 Chinese soldiers including a commanding officer have been killed in the violent scuffle that broke out between India and China on the night of 15-16 June, sources have said. It was earlier reported that there were 43 casualties on the Chinese sides including deaths, however number of injuries and deaths are not being revealed by China. Also, four Indian soldiers who were among the ones injured in the scuffle, have been reported to be in a critical condition now, news agency ANI reported citing its sources.

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China and India got into the worst face-off in the last five decades on Monday night after China tried to alter the status quo along the Line Of Actual Control in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. 20 Indian soldiers including a colonel rank officer were killed in the scuffle, while 43 casualties were inflicted on the Chinese side, ANI’s sources have claimed. However, China has not yet released a figure of its casualties.

There are reports that China had sent choppers to airlift its injured soldiers soon after the two parties disengaged.

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Army given free-hand to act in the disputed area: Sources

Meanwhile, sources have revealed that the Indian Army has been given emergency power to act freely against any Chinese aggression at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The decision was taken in  Cabinet Committee on Security meeting. The sources have said that the government has given the Army free hand to act as they deem fit against Chinese aggression or further transgression in the Galwan Valley area.

US condoles demise of Indian soldiers:

Meanwhile in a statement, the United States has condoled the death of 20 Indian soldiers in the scuffle against the Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control.

US has extended support for peaceful solution of the dispute. It said it is monitoring the situation very closely.

India’s statement:

After the reports of face-off were out, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had agreement at higher level been scrupulously followed by China. MEA stated that the Chinese side tried to unilaterally change the status quo in the Galwan Valley while India was upholding its side of the commitment.

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