At least 38 Chinese soldiers drowned in river during 2020 Galwan clash, claims report
India Today
An investigative report by an Australian newspaper claims that at least 38 Chinese troops drowned in a river during the Galwan Valley clash of June 2020.
On June 15, 2020, twenty Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese troops died in a clash in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. Set against freezing temperatures and pitch-black darkness, the nighttime skirmish escalated border tensions between the two neighbouring nations.
In February 2021, Beijing announced medals for four of its soldiers who died in the clash, accepting and revealing for the first time the Chinese casualties in the incident. However, it has time and again been conjectured that the Chinese losses were much higher than officially reported.
Now, in an investigative report by Australian newspaper The Klaxon, it has been claimed that at least 38 Chinese troops drowned in the early stages of the June 15-16 battle while attempting to cross back over the Galwan River in the dark.
The report draws heavily on research conducted by a group of unnamed social media researchers whose sources include Chinese bloggers, information obtained from mainland-based Chinese citizens and media reports that have since been deleted by Chinese authorities.
According to the report, Indian troops went to a disputed area in Galwan Valley on the night of June 15 to remove a Chinese encroachment. They were met by China’s Col Qi Fabao and 150 Chinese soldiers who formed a battle formation instead of discussing the issue with the Indian troops, the report adds.
“The moment Col Fabao attacked, he was immediately besieged by the Indian army troops. To rescue him, PLA battalion commander Chen Hongjun and soldier Chen Xiangron started a physical scuffle with Indian troops using steel pipes, sticks and stones [When 3 Chinese soldiers died] PLA soldiers panicked into retreat,” the report says.
Wang Zhuoran, one of the confirmed dead, reportedly came forward to help his retreating comrades and lead the way back.
