Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

10 soldiers released by China after the worst clash in decades

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 19 Jun, 2020 09:00 PM
  • 10 soldiers released by China after the worst clash in decades

10 Indian soldiers have been released after three rounds of talks and intense negotiations through diplomatic and military channels. The Indian soldiers were detained by the Chinese side during the violent brawl of June 15 in Galwan Valley.

The 10 soldiers, including at least two officers, were returned to the Indian side on Thursday evening, three days after the violent face-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that left 20 soldiers, including a colonel, dead.

According to people, these negotiations were kept tight lipped due to concerns for the safety of the soldiers amid the heightened tensions between the two sides. There was no official word on the development. All that the Indian Army and the external affairs ministry had said on Thursday was that no Indian soldiers were “missing in action”.

The meetings were part of ongoing military engagements to de-escalate the situation and to disengage on the disputed border. The two senior military officers have met seven times since the stand-off began in early May. Moreover, the people said the 10 soldiers, after their release, were sent for a medical examination and were “debriefed” by officials. The last time the Chinese military had captured Indian soldiers was during the border war between the two countries in 1962. Monday night’s seven-hour brutal clash involving more than 500 rival troops also marked the first time India suffered combat fatalities in an incident involving Chinese troops since 1975.

Following reports that an unspecified number of soldiers were unaccounted for after Monday night’s clash, the Indian Army had on Thursday only said that none of its personnel were missing in action. China has so far not acknowledged any casualties among its troops, while some 76 Indian soldiers were also injured. Army officials claimed 43 Chinese were killed or seriously injured, citing radio intercepts and other intelligence.

The Chinese fatal casualties reportedly include a colonel-ranked officer but HT couldn’t independently verify this. India has attributed the clash of June 15 on Chinese forces crossing to the Indian side of the LAC and attempting to build a structure. It has also rejected China’s People’s Liberation Army’s claim of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley. Asked about the specific issue of the status of Indian soldiers after the clash of June 15, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava told a weekly media briefing on Thursday: “This has been clarified by the army earlier today afternoon that there are no Indian troops missing in action.”

A top retired army commander, who didn’t want to be identified, said: “China has already achieved what it set out to achieve – control over Galwan Valley. The gesture of returning the soldiers is a message to the world that the Chinese are not the aggressors and they have returned people who intruded into their territory. 

MORE India ARTICLES

Former Punjab DGP Saini denied entry into Himachal over an alleged kidnapping case

Former Punjab DGP Saini denied entry into Himachal over an alleged kidnapping case
The Punjab Police on Wednesday evening charged former state DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and six other police officials at Mohali in a 29-year-old case of alleged kidnapping, torture, and “stage-managed elimination” of Balwant Singh Multani, son of IAS officer Darshan Singh Multani. In the FIR filed, Palwinder Singh Multani, brother of the alleged victim, has named six other police officials, including DSP Baldev Singh Saini, Inspector Satvir Singh, SI Har Sahai Sharma, SI Jagir Singh, SI Anoop Singh and ASI Kuldip Singh.

Former Punjab DGP Saini denied entry into Himachal over an alleged kidnapping case

New digital registration ensures faster, safer assistance for B.C. evacuees

New digital registration ensures faster, safer assistance for B.C. evacuees
British Columbia is unveiling a digital registration system for evacuees as the province prepares for the upcoming wildfire season while coping with physical distancing restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A statement from the Ministry of Public Safety says the new platform will allow communities to provide emergency support services, including evacuee self-registration and referrals.

New digital registration ensures faster, safer assistance for B.C. evacuees

Indians stranded abroad to be brought back on May 7th

Indians stranded abroad to be brought back on May 7th
Indians stranded abroad because of the coronavirus pandemic will be brought back home as of May 7th but it will be a gradual process. Aircraft and naval ships will be arranged for their travel, the government said in a statement, adding the service will be offered on "payment-basis". Only those asymptomatic will be allowed onboard.

Indians stranded abroad to be brought back on May 7th

Two terrorists and an associate have been killed in an encounter in Awantipora, located in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Two terrorists and an associate have been killed in an encounter in Awantipora, located in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.
Two terrorists and an associate have been killed in an encounter that began on Saturday morning in Awantipora, a city in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. As of this writing, a search operation was still ongoing.    

Two terrorists and an associate have been killed in an encounter in Awantipora, located in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

India surpasses over 23,000 COVID-19 cases and over 700 dead

India surpasses over 23,000 COVID-19 cases and over 700 dead
In India more than 23,000 people have, or have had, the new coronavirus, central health ministry data showed on Friday. More than 700 of those infected have died -- a dreadful total, but a relatively low number compared to fatalities in other countries facing outbreaks. India is currently under an extended lockdown til May 3rd that was imposed last month to contain the spread of the virus, which is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets.     

India surpasses over 23,000 COVID-19 cases and over 700 dead

Prominent TV anchor Arnab Goswami and his wife attacked by 2 Congress youth.

Prominent TV anchor Arnab Goswami and his wife attacked by 2 Congress youth.
Two people have been arrested for attacking prominent journalist Arnab Goswami and his wife. A FIR has been registered at the NM Joshi Marg Police station. Goswami in his complaint to the police has alleged that he and his wife were attacked by Youth Congress workers when they were driving back home from the Republic TV Headquarters in Worli.

Prominent TV anchor Arnab Goswami and his wife attacked by 2 Congress youth.