20 Soldiers killed in face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh: Report

New Delhi: Twenty Indian soldiers including a Colonel were killed in a “violent face-off” on Monday night with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, NDTV quoted sources as saying, in a massive escalation after weeks of tension at the border. India retaliated and there were casualties on both sides, said the army.

India said the clashes happened “as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there”, rebutting China’s claims that Indian soldiers cross the border.

This is the first violent incident involving fatalities since 1975 between India and China, who fought a border war in 1962.