Three Indian soldiers killed amid ‘serious physical conflicts’ on China border in Himalayas

Three Indian soldiers have been killed during clashes with China amid a tense stand-off between the nations on the disputed Himalayan border.

China accused Indian troops of carrying out “provocative attacks” leading to “serious physical conflicts” in the Ladakh region.

At least three Indian soldiers, including a senior army officer, have been killed in clashes with Chinese troops along the disputed Himalayan frontier, officials said.

In a statement, the Indian army said the "violent face-off" happened in Galwan Valley on Monday night, “with casualties on both sides”.

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

It marks a major escalation following clashes between troops on both sides in the region for more than a month.

According to Indian media, the fatalities are the first deaths on the disputed border in 45 years.

China did not immediately respond to requests for comment and has not announced any fatalities on its side.

During a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: "What is shocking is that on June 15, the Indian troops seriously violated the consensus of the two sides, crossed the border illegally twice and carried out provocative attacks on Chinese personnel, resulting in serious physical conflicts between the two border forces."

The editor of China's state-run Global Times newspaper said on Tuesday that the Chinese military suffered casualties during the border clash, but gave no further details.

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.