China-India bloody clash: Trump keeps an eye on situation, ISI gives briefing to Pakistan army, PAF, Navy

By Kaswar Klasra

Islamabad: As many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed while scores got injured in a ” faceoff” with Chinese forces on the disputed Himalayan border on Tuesday.

It was one of the deadliest fight between two neighboring countries in a decade. Sources told Islamabad Telegraph that skirmishes between the two sides still continues in the disputed area.

In a statement spread widely to local and international media, Indian army confirmed it three soldiers were killed in the line of duty. Later on, it added that 17 more soldiers who were critically injured (on Monday) in the line of duty at the standoff location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain have succumbed to their injuries, taking the total that were killed in action to 20.

India and China have been locked in a standoff in the western Himalayas for weeks, though there had been no casualties on either side.

The latest incident took place in the Galwan Valley in the mountainous region of Ladakh, the Indian army had said in a statement earlier. It said there were “casualties on both sides” in the incident which took place on Monday, although Beijing made no mention of any — while laying the blame squarely on Delhi.

Beijing on Tuesday confirmed a clash took place, but made no mention of casualties. It accused Indian soldiers of crossing into Chinese territory and “attacking Chinese personnel”.

Spokesperson of China’s Foreign ministry Mr. Zhao Lijian confirmed to Islamabad Telegraph that Indian troops “crossed the border line twice … provoking and attacking Chinese personnel This resulted in serious physical confrontation between border forces on the two sides.

“We again solemnly request that India follows the relevant attitude and restrains its frontline troops,” he said.

The Asian giants have rival claims to vast swathes of territory along their 3,500 kilometers Himalayan border, but the disputes have remained largely peaceful since a border war in 1962.

Following Tuesday’s clash between China and India, President Donald Trump called got briefing from his intelligence last night around 11 PM (PST). Detail of this briefing were not shared to media being highly sensitive and classified.

However, it appeared late on Tuesday that Trump was keeping an eye on the clashes between China and India, two nuclear armed arch rivals.

In Pakistan, Three services chiefs including General Qamar Javed Bajwa, were briefed by DG ISI about regional security in the headquarters of ISI on Tuesday.

Reacting to the violent faceoff between India and China, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan was observing the developments carefully but that it held India responsible for the conflict.

“India should have never built roads and airstrips in a disputed area,” he said.

He was speaking to a local news channel on Tuesday night.

“This isn’t a new dispute between the two countries. If you remember, they [India and China] even fought a war over this in 1962,” Qureshi said.

“First, I heard that Indian soldiers were physically beaten and now I’m hearing that 20 soldiers have been killed and that number could rise,” he added.

The foreign minister said that India does not have good relations with any of its neighbours.

“India has issues with us, China, Nepal and even Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh used to be a good friend of theirs but after the Citizenship Amendment Act [debacle], relations between the two countries have become tense,” he said.