Holding The Tricolour High, ITBP Soldiers Celebrate Independence Day In Ladakh, At 14,000 Feet

As the country marked the 74th Independence Day, soldiers of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) celebrated the day on the banks of Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh at 14,000 feet.

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In the images and videos posted by the ITBP on social media, soldiers can be seen marching near the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh, holding the national flag and chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai'.

Recently, it was the scene of one of the worst stand-off between India and China in decades.

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Revealing more details about the clashes, ITBP said its personnel "fought the whole night" and gave a befitting reply to the Chinese troops during the recent skirmishes.

It said a total of 294 ITBP personnel have been awarded the Director General (DG) commendation for displaying bravery during these skirmishes.

In its first official account of the standoff between the two militaries, the ITBP revealed how its troops "not only effectively used shield to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to the advancing PLA (People's Liberation Army) troops and brought the situation under control".

The ITBP said its troops "fought the whole night" in the area and they received the minimum casualties, while gave a befitting reply to the stone-pelters of the PLA.

"At places, they (ITBP) gave a determined standoff for about 17-20 hours throughout.

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"Due to the high-altitude training and manoeuver experience of the force in the Himalayas, the ITBP troops kept the PLA troops at bay and due to the all-out and befitting response of ITBP jawans at almost all fronts, many areas were safeguarded in the hyper-sensitive areas," it said.

The ITBP added that recommendations for awarding gallantry medals to 21 troops posted in this area, led by a Commandant-rank officer, have been sent to the government.

"Also, 294 personnel have been awarded with the DG's commendation rolls and insignias by ITBP chief S S Deswal on the eve of the Independence Day," the force said.

Reuters

It said the ITBP troops displayed the highest order of professional skills and fought shoulder-to-shoulder and also brought the injured Indian Army troops to the rear.

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a violent faceoff with the Chinese troops in the eastern Ladakh area on the intervening night of June 15-16.

While China has accepted that it also suffered causalities during these clashes, it has not given out exact numbers.

The force, offiicals said, retrieved the bodies and the injured Army personnel from the freezing Galwan river after the two sides had a violent fight.