India-China border dispute: ‘Violent face-off a result of attempt by China to unilaterally change status quo,’ says MEA
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The ministry said that the casualties could have been avoided on both sides had China not changed status quo unilaterally and followed the agreement at higher level.
The Government of India on Tuesday issued a statement on the military altercation with China at the LAC that turned violent on Monday night leading to the death of three Indian Army personnel.
Colonel B Santosh Babu, Havildar Palani and Sepoy Ojha were killed in the clashes that took place at one of the four locations in Ladakh where the two armies have been locked in a 40-day standoff.
Also read: 3 Indian soldiers martyred in clash with Chinese troops along LAC
“On late-evening and night of June 15, a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change status quo there. Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had agreement at higher level been scrupulously followed by Chinese side,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
“Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side,” it added.
“The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers. Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation,” the army said in an official statement in the afternoon.
(With inputs from agencies)