India-China standoff: How the Galwan Valley clash unfolded

NEW DELHI: Twenty Indian soldiers, including a Colonel, were killed and several others grievously injured in a violent physical skirmish with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley region of eastern Ladakh on Monday, in a massive build-up of military confrontation in the high-altitude region since early-May even though no bullets were fired.
This is the first clash involving fatalities on both sides since 1975. Here is the timeline of the physical skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops.
* The clash was triggered by Chinese troops, who came back to erect a temporary post on Indian side and were challenged by Indian troops.
* A brawl broke out on Monday evening which went on till midnight. Many men from both sides fell into the rivulet.
* Col Babu, Havildar K Palani and sepoy Kundan Kumar Ohja died on the spot. Others succumbed later to injuries and hypothermia
* The violent face-off was the result of an attempt by Chinese to unilaterally change status quo in the region, MEA said.
* Senior commanders had a productive meeting on June 6 and agreed on the process for de-escalation. Ground commanders had a series of meetings thereafter.
* An Indian Army statement said Indian and Chinese troops have since disengaged in Galwan areas where they clashed on June 15-16.
THE BUILD-UP
* Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged since May 5, 2020 following a clash at Pangong lake.
* There has been an aggressive posturing by Chinese troops in areas of Pangong, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldi in eastern Ladakh along LAC
* Both countries moved soldiers & equipment as LAC situation continued to be volatile.
* China has been opposed to Indian construction of air strips and roads in the area, including one Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley.
* After weeks of face-off resulting in injuries, friction eased following talks between Indian and Chinese military commanders in Galwan Valley area and Hot Springs recently.
PAST CLASHES
1967: A total of 80 Indian soldiers and about 400 Chinese soldiers were killed in action at Nathu La in Sept 1967, during the bloodiest clashes since the 1962 war
1975: Four Assam Rifles jawans were killed when their patrol was ambushed by Chinese soldiers at Tulung La in Arunachal Pradesh on Oct 20, 1975 .