20 Indian soldiers killed in face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh: Sources

Twenty Indian soldiers including a Colonel were killed in a "violent face-off" on Monday night with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, said sources, in a massive escalation after weeks of tension at the border.

India retaliated and there were casualties on both sides, said Indian 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.

India said the clash arose from "an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo" on the border.

"India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control. We expect the same of the Chinese side," said India foreign ministry spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava.

(Source: ndtv)