The sources say the evacuation of Chinese soldiers has been observed in the area after the clash.
Several soldiers fell into the icy Galwan River during the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in which 20 Indian soldiers have been killed. Army sources have told NDTV that they are certain that up to 45 Chinese soldiers have been killed or injured in the incident. Some reports indicate that a few of the Indian soldiers who were involved in the clash are in a critical condition.
New details have emerged on what went down on Monday, June 15, when a small Indian patrol party moved to remove a Chinese tent in the Galwan river valley. China had agreed to remove the tent after the talks between Lieutenant General-ranked officers on June 6.
Sources said a physical fight broke out after the Chinese soldiers targeted the Indian Colonel.
Both sides were armed with batons and sticks with nails.
Reserves were called in by both sides on several occasions, say army sources.
There are multiple injuries on both sides.
Several soldiers fell into the Galwan River during the fight. Extreme cold and hypothermia worsened the situation.
The Army, after confirming the death of a Colonel and two jawans on Tuesday morning, said in another statement in the evening that 17 more critically injured were "exposed to sub-zero temperatures... (and) succumbed to their injuries".
Since early May, hundreds of soldiers have been ranged against each other at three locations.
A full-fledged evacuation of soldiers could only happen on Tuesday morning, the army sources have said.
The sources say the evacuation of Chinese soldiers has been observed in the area after the clash.
Sources in the Indian Army have told NDTV that they are looking to change their protocols and rules of engagement in countering Chinese soldiers after the clash in Eastern Ladakh.
At the moment, Indian soldiers, even if they are armed, are under strict instructions not to open fire in the event of a fight with the Chinese. Sources have told NDTV that after the latest incident, these protocols will need to be revisited in order to give Indian soldiers a more robust set of rules to engage with Chinese forces. A final decision on this is yet to be taken by the Army's hierarchy.
