India-China standoff: Indian paratroopers conduct air exercise in Ladakh
Indian paratroopers
As Indian and Chinese troops disengaged along the Line of Actual Control(LAC), Indian paratroopers took part in an air exercise in Ladakh.
The Indian paratroopers jumped off the C-130J Super Hercules as India's defence minister Rajnath Singh visited the forward bases to review the security situation.
Deployment amid COVID-19
Soldiers with backpacks streamed out and were checked for COVID-19 symptoms at a transit facility, where they awaited further transport.
The materials are stored across a network of logistics hubs. At a fuel, oil and lubricant depot near Leh, Ladakh's main city, a hillside was covered with clusters of green drums.
(Reuters)
Ladakh in focus
Defence minister Rajnath Singh's visit comes after PM Modi visited Ladakh earlier this month amid tensions with China along the LAC.
Meanwhile, tensions at the border has reduced significantly after Indian and Chinese Army core commanders reviewed the progress of disengagement and discussed further steps to ensure complete disengagement during the meet at Chushul in eastern Ladakh on Wednesday.
1,300 Chinese soldiers were killed at Rezang La
There were reportedly just 120 soldiers manning the post at Rezang La and just 3 survived with some reports claiming that at least 6 survived with Major Shaitan Singh falling at the head of his troops. Singh as later awarded Param Vir Chakra
According to the war memorial in Rewari, 1,300 Chinese soldiers were killed in the battle. Major Shaitan Singh the company commander who crawled from trench to trench reorganizing the defences and motivating his men, despite suffering injuries.
Interestingly, the same areas has once again become a major flashpoint where the Indian soldiers have come face-to-face with the PLA.
Indian soldiers in Ladakh
Indian soldiers walk in foothills of a mountain range near Leh, Ladakh
IAF plane in Ladakh
An Indian Air Force aircraft takes flight against the backdrop of mountains surrounding Leh.
Core commanders meet
Indian and Chinese corps commander-level officers met for close to 15 hours on Wednesday. It started on July 14 at 11:30 am and ended at 2 am on July 15, sources said.
Both sides will now monitor further disengagement of troops and verify the development in the next few days around July 21-22.
Chinook helicopter in Leh
An Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter flies over a mountain range near Leh.
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