India-China standoff updates: Army IAF to maintain very high-level of alertness along LAC

By oneindia staff

| Updated: Friday, August 7, 2020, 23:54 [IST]

New Delhi, Aug 07: A Defence Ministry document that contained an admission that China had "transgressed" into Indian territory in eastern Ladakh disappeared from the Ministry's website on Thursday afternoon. The document, which listed "major activities of Department of Defence" for June, warned of a "prolonged" standoff - which is already in its fourth month - between Indian and Chinese soldiers on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Based on what the document said, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "lying" - and, after the document was no longer available, mocked the government for "removing documents from websites".

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11:52 PM, 7 Aug

Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane has already conveyed to all the senior commanders of the Army overseeing the operation of the frontline formations along the LAC to keep up a significantly high state of alertness and maintain the aggressive posturing to deal with any Chinese "misadventure", they said.

11:50 PM, 7 Aug

The Indian Army and the IAF will maintain a very high-level of operational readiness in all areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, North Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh till a "satisfactory" resolution to the border row with China is arrived at, people familiar with the developments said on Friday.

4:30 PM, 7 Aug

“The petitioners firmly believe that the nation’s security cannot and shouldn’t be compromised by any one,” the plea had said.

4:15 PM, 7 Aug

“Despite of having a hostile relation with China, Respondent No 1 (Congress) had signed an agreement when it was running a coalition government and hidden the facts and details of the agreement from the country,” the PIL alleged.

4:06 PM, 7 Aug

Amid India-China face-off on Line of Actual Control (LAC), a PIL was filed in the top court seeking NIA probe into the 2008 agreement.

3:58 PM, 7 Aug

It the petitioners to approach the high court first before moving the Supreme Court. The petitioners subsequently proceeded to withdraw the petition.

3:45 PM, 7 Aug

“How can a political party enter into an agreement with China. It is unheard in law,” the bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde remarked.

3:25 PM, 7 Aug

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Congress and the Communist Party of China in 2008.

3:07 PM, 7 Aug

Trump’s ban uses the same template, his payback to China that has right from the beginning shut out US apps and websites such Facebook and Google from operating in China and instead, helped build its brand of technology firms such as Alibaba Group holding to Tencent Holding.

2:58 PM, 7 Aug

India’s 29 June order did not explicitly ban people from using the mobile apps. But it forced app stores to boot out the 59 applications, and later their proxies, presenting the world with a model to strangle the ability of Chinese mobile apps to operate.

2:35 PM, 7 Aug

India said these apps threatened the country’s “sovereignty and integrity”

2:22 PM, 7 Aug

India, which has been locked in a standoff with China at its border in East Ladakh, was the first country to axe 59 mobile applications with close links to China.

2:10 PM, 7 Aug

For its ban on WeChat, a mobile app largely used by the Chinese community in the United States, Trump referenced restrictions placed by India and Australia.

1:59 PM, 7 Aug

Then he turned to India’s ban on Chinese mobile applications to build the case for his own set of restrictions.

1:47 PM, 7 Aug

The US President went on to cite restrictions on use of TikTok on federal government phones by the US armed forces, homeland security and the transportation security administration.

1:26 PM, 7 Aug

The data captured by TikTok could potentially allow China to track locations of federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail and conduct corporate espionage.

1:18 PM, 7 Aug

“The risks are real,” the presidential directive said, accusing the mobile applications of capturing vast swaths of information from its users that may potentially be accessed by the Chinese Communist Party.

1:04 PM, 7 Aug

US President Donald Trump’s order to ban US transactions with Chinese owners of short video-sharing app TikTok and messenger app WeChat cited India’s decision to purge the two applications earlier in June.

12:52 PM, 7 Aug

Based on the submissions of these companies, DGFT is likely to take a decision on issuing licences to these companies to import tyres in the current financial year.

12:29 PM, 7 Aug

In a meeting last week, the foreign trade watchdog also asked the automakers to explain the reasons behind importing tyres for their vehicles manufactured in India.

12:21 PM, 7 Aug

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has asked nine automakers to submit details of their annual tyre imports as the government continues efforts to squeeze imports from China amid worsening relations between the two countries.

12:07 PM, 7 Aug

The current Ladakh imbroglio and the past incursions by Beijing in the freezing heights, the increasing Chinese belligerence towards Hong Kong and Taiwan in recent years, and the continuous fierce military expansion in the oil and gas-rich South China Sea have their roots in China's 2015 White Paper on Defence.

11:58 AM, 7 Aug

'Local' war is a mere continuation of 'geopolitics' with other means — this has become the guiding principle of China under President Xi Jinping.

11:49 AM, 7 Aug

Tweak this eternal definition of war by the Prussian general and military theorist a little, and the geopolitical and military strategy of the People's Republic of China is evident.

11:27 AM, 7 Aug

Finger 4 is 8 km to the west of Finger 8, through which India says the LAC passes.

11:15 AM, 7 Aug

On the north bank of Pangong Tso, the Chinese continue to occupy the Finger 4 ridgeline.

10:52 AM, 7 Aug

However, at PP17A in Gogra sector, the two armies are within a kilometre of each other.

10:36 AM, 7 Aug

The two sides had completely disengaged from Patrolling Point 14 (PP14) in Galwan Valley and PP15 in the Hot Springs area before July 14.

10:24 AM, 7 Aug

Manoj Kumar Jha of the RJD asked, “What does one make out of the Prime Minister’s ‘no intrusion’ statement at the June 19 all-party meeting?”

10:12 AM, 7 Aug

"The Ministry of Defence puts out a document which then disappears! Whatever the PM and his government are trying to hide is very serious and the government must clearly tell the truth," Yechury posted on Twitter.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

The Indian Army officer killed the clash was the commanding officer of a battalion at Galwan.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

There was no firing. Apparently the two sides clashed with stones and rods.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

There are various accounts on the number of casualties on the Chinese side. Some accounts suggest 5, while the others say it is 3. However there is no official word on the same.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

The visit by Army Chief General M M Naravane to Pathankot has been cancelled.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said if the Chinese can "shoot dead" three Indian soldiers during the 'de-escalation process', one can imagine how serious the situation must have been in the first place. Earlier in the day, the Indian Army said an officer and two soldiers were killed in a violent confrontation with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on Monday.

3:15 PM, 16 Jun

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be discussing the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a short while from now. Singh has already met Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.

3:16 PM, 16 Jun

We will eventually learn about the details of what happened in Ladakh. That is our right. But right now, we must grieve with & stand by the families of our martyred soldiers. And stand solidly in support of our armed forces.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 16, 2020

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra's tweet:

3:17 PM, 16 Jun

Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation along the Line of Actual Control.

3:29 PM, 16 Jun

Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter to say that the nation wants to know why there is no talk of retaliation. Taking to Twitter, Mufti wrote,''Seems like China has hijacked the aggressive ‘ghar main ghuske marengay’ militaristic approach. Nation deserves to know why there is no talk of retaliation to avenge the death of three Indian army personnel!.''

3:29 PM, 16 Jun

Congrress leader Shashi Tharoor: The tragic news from Ladakh is shocking & calls for resolute handling by our Govt. Meanwhile, let us bow our heads in tribute to the three martyrs who gave their lives to protect India, and honour those who serve on our borders every day, risking their lives for our nation.

3:33 PM, 16 Jun

Both sides have been ascertaining that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is important to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.

3:33 PM, 16 Jun

China has lodged solemn representations and protests to India. Here, we are sternly demanding India to earnestly abide by the relevant agreement and strictly restrain their frontline troops. They should not cross the borderlines says Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry

3:34 PM, 16 Jun

Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has met with External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and discussed the situation along the LAC.

3:37 PM, 16 Jun

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that China has lodged solemn representations and protests to India. “Here, we are sternly demanding India to earnestly abide by the relevant agreement and strictly restrain their frontline troops. They should not cross the borderlines,” Lijian said.

3:38 PM, 16 Jun

"Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash", tweets Editor In Chief of Chinese Newspaper Global Times

3:39 PM, 16 Jun

The happening in the #Galwanvalley is a continuation of violations by China. It is time now that the country stands up to these incursions. Our soldiers are not fair game that every few days officers and men are being killed and injured defending our borders. (1/2)
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 16, 2020

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the happening in Galwan Valley is a continuation of violations by China and added that it is time now that India stood up to these incursions.

3:40 PM, 16 Jun

The talks are being held between Major General Abhijit Bapat, the commander of the Karu based HQ3 Infantry Division and his Chinese counterpart. The talks are being held at the site of the clash.

3:45 PM, 16 Jun

Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav took to Twitter and wrote, "Received the report of a commanding officer and two soldiers of Indian Army being killed in a 'violent face-off' with Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. Heartfelt condolences." He also said that he expects a clarification on the ground reality of situation.

3:46 PM, 16 Jun

दो मुखी राजनीति

मोदी जी UPA पे आरोप लगाते थे के हम चीन को लाल आँख क्यूँ नहीं दिखते जब वो LAC पार करता है

मोदी जी आप चीन को लद्दाख़ में लाल आँख दिखने में क्यूँ झिझक रहे हैं ?

और जब नेपाल आप को लाल आँख देखा रहा है आप बात चीत करना चाहते हैं

छप्पन इंच की छाती कहाँ गयी ?
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) June 16, 2020

Congress leader Kapil Sibal slammed the Union government for failing to respond to Chinese action in Ladakh. He also took pot shot on Prime Minister's 56-inch chest.

3:46 PM, 16 Jun

Indian troops seriously violated consensus of the two sides by illegally crossing the border twice and carrying out provocative attacks on Chinese soldiers. This resulted in serious physical clashes, China’s Global Times said while quoting foreign minister, Wang Yi.

3:52 PM, 16 Jun

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday termed as 'disturbing' the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley and said the government should offer a clearer picture to the nation on the border issue. He sought to know as to how Indian soldiers lost their lives during a de-escalation process and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh should come out with a clearer picture.

4:03 PM, 16 Jun

"Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness and sacrifice," said VK Singh.

4:11 PM, 16 Jun

The editor of Global Times posted on Twitter, “ based on what I know, Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash. I want to tell the Indian side, don’t be arrogant and misread China’s restraint as being weak. China doesn’t want to have a clash with India, but we don’t fear it.”

4:39 PM, 16 Jun

The talks between the two sides are still continuing and efforts are on to defuse tensions between India and China after a violent clash occurred.

4:41 PM, 16 Jun

The situation still remains fluid in Ladakh. Hectic talks are on to defuse the tensions along the Line of Actual Control.

5:06 PM, 16 Jun

The Congress has termed as "shocking" and "unacceptable" the death of an Indian Army officer and two soldiers in a violent face-off with the Chinese troops, and asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to confirm the development.

5:06 PM, 16 Jun

"Shocking, Unbelievable and Unacceptable! Will the Raksha Mantri confirm," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter.

5:08 PM, 16 Jun

Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness & sacrifice.

Jai Hind!!
— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) June 16, 2020

Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness and sacrifice, Union Minister, General V K Singh said.

5:15 PM, 16 Jun

AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter to condemn the killings of three Indian army personnel.

5:16 PM, 16 Jun

"India stands with the 3 brave martyrs who were killed by China today in Galwan. My thoughts are with families of Colonel & 2 brave soldiers. The commanding officer was leading from the front. The government must avenge these killings & ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain," Owaisi tweeted.