Three Indian Soldiers Killed In Border Confrontation With Chinese Troops

At least three Indian soldiers, including a senior army officer, have been killed in a confrontation with Chinese troops along their disputed frontier high in the Himalayas.

The incident is the first confrontation between the two Asian giants in which soldiers have died since 1975.

It comes after forces on both sides have faced off for more than a month.

The Indian army said a "violent face-off" took place in Galwan valley in the Ladakh region on Monday night, "with casualties on both sides".

The statement said:"The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers.

"Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation."

China has accused Indian forces along their Himalayan border of carrying out "provocative attacks" on its troops, leading to “serious physical conflicts” between the sides.

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian gave no details over any Chinese casualties.

He said China had strongly protested against the incident while still being committed to maintaining "peace and tranquillity" along the disputed and heavily militarised border.

Thousands of soldiers from the two countries, backed by armoured trucks and artillery, have been facing off just a few hundred yards apart for more than a month in the Ladakh region near Tibet.

Army officers and diplomats have held a series of meetings to try to end the impasse, with no breakthrough.

The two countries have been trying to settle their border dispute since the early 1990s.