New Delhi: As Bihar mourns the death of soldiers in eastern Ladakh, leaders across the political spectrum came together in hailing the Bihari pride. Several of them also called for boycotting Chinese products.

Five of the 20 soldiers martyred in the violent clashes with Chinese troops were from Bihar. Leaders from all political parties were present at the Patna airport on Wednesday when the bodies of the soldiers arrived.

Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, state BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal, leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav, RJD Bihar president Jagdanand Singh and several others paid their respect to the soldiers.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar said the last rites of the martyrs would be done with police honour.

“Like every Indian, people of Bihar too are angry over the loss of 20 soldiers in Ladakh. China is rattled by India’s strong fight with Covid-19 and resolve to become self-reliant,” Modi said in a statement.

“The soldiers have maintained the tradition of the Bihar Regiment’s courage and patriotism,” JDU spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad told ET.

Tejashwi Yadav demanded an allparty meeting to present the correct picture before the people. LJP president Chirag Paswan also said boycotting Chinese products would be a true homage to the soldiers. RLSP president Upendra Kushwaha and HAM president Jitan Ram Manjhi appealed to the government to take strong action against China.