No Indian Army personnel missing in actions, clarifies MEA

New Delhi, June 19: The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that no Indian Army personnel were missing in action as claimed by the New York Times news outlet following the violent clash against Chinese troops that occurred on Monday night in Galwan valley of Ladakh. 

 

The statement from the MEA comes after the New York Times claimed that few Indian soldiers were missing in action in the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in which 20 Indian military men including a Colonel, were martyred and left several other soldiers injured. 

 

 

"This has been clarified by the Army today afternoon (Thursday) that there are no Indian Troops missing in action," MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said during a weekly briefing.

 

The Indian Army also had to release a statement that to rubbish off the false claims made by the New York Times in its news article. "This is with reference to the article 'In China - India Clash, Two Nationalist Leaders with Little Room to Give' by the New York Times dated 17 June 2020. It is clarified that there are no Indian Troops Missing in Action."

  

The ruthless clash took place when the People’s Liberation Army's Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo during de-escalation in eastern Ladakh and the situation could have been avoided if the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.

 

As earlier reported, the face-off went for several hours with no firing taking place speculating a violent brawl was involved. The Chinese troops had attacked Indian soldiers with rods and nail-studded clubs during the prolonged brawl. This is the first time in 45 years that either side has reported casualties during a face-off. The last time when the casualties were reported was in 1975 when the Chinese troops had ambushed an Indian patrol in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tulung La sector leaving four Assam Rifles soldiers dead.