The report coming from eastern Ladakh is a matter of deep concern. Twenty Indian soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in a ‘violent face-off’ on Monday night with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in Ladakh, in the most serious escalation at the border in five decades, at a time soldiers of both sides are in the process of disengagement. The national media reported that the casualties may go up. The Chinese have not given any statement regarding casualties on their side, but it is believed that they also suffered heavy casualties. This is the first fatal clash since 1975 between India and China, who fought a border war in 1962.
The incident reportedly took place on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, during the de-escalation process. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and soldiers. Unconfirmed report says that many soldiers are missing – perhaps taken into custody by the Chinese. This confrontation was going on for the last two months. Though the government of India regularly claimed that both the sides are retreating from their respective position, and that the situation is normal, this clash has caught everyone off guard. The death of so many soldiers is very difficult to take. The government of India and its leadership are answerable for this. They should come clear and let the nation know exactly what is happening in Ladakh. At present the information provided by the government is shrouded in secrecy. The longer they hide, the more it will hurt the credibility of India. The Ladakh incident has the potential to have an effect in Arunachal too. There is a need for greater vigilance along the border areas. Also, its time both the countries defused the tension. The escalation of conflict has the potential to lead to full-scale war.