Army chief visits Leh Military Hospital, interacts with injured Galwan bravehearts

Indian Army Chief of Staff General MM Naravane on Tuesday visited Leh Military Hospital and interacted with soldiers who were hurt during ir violent faceoff with Chinese troops on June 15 at high-altitude Galwan Valley. Army chief is on a two-day visit to Eastern Ladakh to review on-ground situation at Line of Actual Control (LAC) even as Indian and Chinese military commanders agree to diseng forces following fatal clashes last week that left 20 Indian soldiers dead.

Army chief had on Monday discussed security situation with top Army commanders in Delhi, officials said. According to Army officials, all commanders are in national capital for second phase of commanders' conference. Army Commanders Conference is being held on June 22-23 to review operational situation on both rrn and western fronts. 

Meanwhile, meeting between Indian Army's 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh and his Chinese counterpart got over after around 11 hours on Monday. Sources stated that India demanded a return to status quo in April, asking Chinese to remove additional buildup done in Galwan and Pangong Tso areas.

Moreover, in a significant development along LAC, Republic TV sources have said that in backdrop of increased activity by Chinese Choppers, military has deployed Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) defence system in Ladakh area. air defence system was deployed to take care of area and to prevent violations by Chinese Army, sources added.

Sources said that Chinese activity was increased in Eastern Ladakh area before Galwan Valley incident and ir choppers were spotted as y tried to enter Indian territory. To counter any such activity by PLA army, Armed Forces have deployed Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System (QRSAM) at Eastern Ladakh Sector. 

READ | Army Chief General Naravane To Visit Leh On Tuesday To Review On-ground Situation

READ | China Touts Alertness Of Its Sleeping Soldiers; Told 'y Have Nightmares Of Indian Army'

India-China war of words

Slamming China's incursion into Indian territory at LAC, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had asserted that Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for resulting violence and casualties which reflected its intent to 'change facts' on ground in violation of previous agreements reached during his telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China, on or hand, has w staked claim over entire Galwan Valley. It has also maintained that Indian Army 'broke consensus and crossed Line of Actual Control, deliberately provoking and attacking Chinese officers and soldiers', leading to violence. Currently, both countries have disengd at LAC, while talks via diplomatic channels and Army-level continue.

READ | India Steps Up Security Along LAC, Deploys QRSAM In Ladakh Amid Chinese Air Activities

READ | Army Chopper Makes Precautionary Landing In Eastern Ladakh; Crew & Passengers Safe