Jaishankar gives befitting reply to Rahul Gandhi for poser on why soldiers went 'unarmed to martyrdom'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier asked why Indian soldiers were sent "unarmed to martyrdom" in Ladakh. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar provided a response.
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New Delhi: All Indian troops guarding the border with China carry arms, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, replying to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's poser on why Army personnel in Galwan Valley were sent "unarmed to martyrdom".
The minister said armies of the two sides do not use firearms during a faceoff as per provisions of two bilateral agreements sealed in 1996 and 2005.
"Let us get the facts straight. All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post. Those at Galwan on 15 June did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs," Jaishankar tweeted.
Earlier, Gandhi questioned why Indian soldiers were sent "unarmed to martyrdom" in Ladakh and who was responsible for sending them towards danger. He also asked how China dared to kill the Indian soldiers.
20 Indian Army personnel including a Colonel were killed in the fierce clash between the two armies in Galwan Valley on Monday evening. China has not yet released any casualty figures.
