인도 육군 '중국과 국경 충돌로 군인 20명 사망
A military flare-up that could have global repercussions.
The border standoff between India and China has turned deadly for the first time in decades.
The Indian army reported the deaths of their 20 soldiers on Tuesday...from the conflict that is flaring up at the de-facto border in the Himalayas.
Choi Jeong-yoon reports.
The Indian army confirmed Tuesday that at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops Monday night...along the two countries' de-facto border in the Himalayas.
Three deaths were earlier reported but a further 17 troops who were critically injured died a day later.
Situated in the Himalayan Galwan Valley, the Line of Actual Control,...a loose demarcation line that was formed after the 1962 war to separate Indian-controlled territory from an area administered by the Chinese government.
Despite the agreement, flare-ups in tensions have been a regular occurrence over the years with each claiming the side were invading.
However, this week's incident marks the first military deaths in over 40 years of the two countries' border dispute.
The standoff has intensified over the last six weeks and a large troop build-up has been taking place for weeks on both sides of the border.
Then during a de-escalation process, Monday's incident occurred which involved a physical fight using stones and batons, but not gunfire.
The Chinese government claims the Indian forces violated the consensus with China on easing the border situation after commander-level talks and provoked the physical conflict.
"We solemnly demand that the India strictly restrain its front-line troops in accordance with the consensus, refrain from crossing the borderline, provoking troubles or taking any unilateral actions that may complicate the border situation."
While the Chinese confirmed casualties on their side but provided no specific numbers, Indian news agencies cited sources as saying 43 were killed or injured on the Chinese side.
Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.
