'No face-off took place between India, China in May 1st week': Army denies 'The Hindu' report
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New Delhi, May 24: Responding to a media report published by 'The Hindu' about a 'minor face-off with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley', the Indian Army rebutted that no such face-off had taken place in the first week of May.
Earlier, The Hindu had reported that there was a minor face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the no-patrolling zone at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh in the first week of May, according to a senior government official who told The Hindu.
However, rebutting such statements, the Army said, "An article titled "Minor face-off with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley" published in The Hindu on 23 May 2021 has been taken note of." It said further that the article seemed to be inspired by sources "trying to derail the ongoing process of early resolution of issues in the region".
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"It is clarified that no such minor face-off has taken place between Indian and Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh in the first week of May 2021 as reported. The article seems to be inspired by sources who may be trying to derail the ongoing process for early resolution of issues in Eastern Ladakh," the rebuttal said.
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It further requested media professionals to clarify 'actual versions/positions' on incidents from authorised sources in the Army and not base reports on 'un-corroborated inputs from third parties'.
The media report had quoted a senior government official who claimed that a minor face-off between the Indian and Chinese troops was reported in the no-patrolling zone at Eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in the first week of May and no clash happened as the both sides disengaged quickly.
“After the no-patrolling zones were created last year, the two sides occasionally conduct reconnaissance to see if the other side has crossed the line. The patrols are sent at different times. On the particular day, the Indian and Chinese patrols reached the area at the same time, a minor face-off happened but they returned quickly," the media quoted the official as saying.