4 officers among 10 soldiers released; no official word

New Delhi, June 19

A day after 10 soldiers, including four officers, ‘missing’ since the deadly clash with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, were released, an interpretation of the Chinese response led to some confusion. The soldiers came back after a meeting of Major General-level officials, sources said. These soldiers were missing or taken captive or cornered behind enemy lines at the Galwan valley.

The deadly clash on Monday night at the valley in Ladakh left 20 soldiers dead. As many as 76 soldiers were injured. So far, there has been no official statement by the Army or the government on the release of the 10 soldiers. The Army had said on Thursday all Indian soldiers involved in the clashes with the Chinese troops at the Galwan valley had been accounted for. “It is clarified that there are no Indian troops missing in action,” it had issued a statement.

China-based news outlets quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian as having said “China has not detained any Indian personnel”. The Global Times, the party mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China, subsequently tweeted, “China has ‘presently’ not detained any Indian personnel.” — TNS

Vital bridge over Galwan river ready

New Delhi: India has completed a strategically important 60-metre bridge over the Galwan river, 4 km east of the confluence of Shyok and Galwan rivers in eastern Ladakh, notwithstanding opposition by the PLA, sources said on Friday. PTI