Galwan face-off: Defence forces raise alert level

New Delhi.The Indian Army, Air force and Navy have been put on alert in view of the worst border clash between India and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh that left 20 Army personnel dead. The armed forces have been ordered to cancel all types of leaves of defence personnel and ask them to report within 72 hours. 

This decision was taken at a high level meeting of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held with the Chief of Defence Staff Genera Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat instructed the three service chiefs to coordinate and set priorities as per the need.

A senior Indian Army official said that four severely injured Indian Army personnel are now recovering and are out of danger. Besides, 18 soldiers are being treated at Leh Hospital.

“Army deployment is being increased along the China border of Sikkim and North East region,” the official said. The Air Force has already raised the alert level in all its front-line bases tasked to keep an eye on the LAC, the de-facto border. The Navy is increasing its deployment in the Indian Ocean Region to send across a strong message to the Chinese Navy. 

The Army has already rushed in additional troops to all its key front-line bases and formations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, called his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar on Wednesday evening. The Foreign Minister said that the unprecedented development ‘will have the serious impact on the bilateral relationship’ and China has to reassess its actions and take corrective steps.

Army Chief General MM Narwane saluted the supreme sacrifice of the 20 brave soldiers martyred at Ladakh’s Galwan Valley and offered condolences to their families. He said, “We offer our deepest condolences to their families. Their sacrifice will not go in vain.”