New Delhi: There were multiple clashes between Indian and Chinese troops, more than what has been publicly known, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh during the months of May and June, ThePrint has learnt.
These clashes resulted in injuries on both sides.
The fresh piece of information comes as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is the guarding force at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), recommended 21 of its personnel for police gallantry medals.
Sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that there were numerous physical clashes and brawls between the troops at various locations including multiple patrolling points and along rivulets and nallahs.
Many of these clashes lasted overnight and led to injuries on both sides, the sources said.
The Army and the ITBP have remained silent on these other clashes. The clashes that have been reported 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.
Citing leaked videos and pictures, ThePrint had on 31 May reported that there had been multiple clashes between the two sides.
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ITBP recommends 21 personnel for gallantry
The ITBP has said it has recommended 21 of its men for gallantry medals in connection with “face offs and skirmishes” in May-June, 2020.
At least 294 ITBP personnel have already been awarded with the director general’s commendation rolls and insignia on the eve of Independence Day, all of which were for incidents 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.
Several Army personnel were injured in the clash at Pangong Tso on 5 May. Sources said injuries also took place in several other locations too.
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 hyper sensitive areas,” it added.
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