Soldiers fell to their deaths as India and China's troops fought with rocks

[brooklynite]

The Guardian

The hand-to-hand combat lasted hours, on steep, jagged terrain, with iron bars, rocks and fists. Neither side carried guns. Most of the soldiers killed in the worst fighting between India and China in 60 years lost their footing or were knocked from the narrow Himalayan ridge, plunging to their deaths.

India has reacted with shock and caution to the loss of at least 20 soldiers on its disputed border with China, with images of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, burned in Indian cities.

In his first public comments on the dispute, prime minister Narendra Modi led a two-minute silence for the killed soldiers and said India would “defend every stone, every inch of its territory.”

“I would like to assure the nation that the sacrifice of our jawans [troops] will not be in vain,” said Modi, speaking at a televised meeting of India’s chief ministers. “For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country is the most important.”

[dhill926]

1. old school...beats nuclear bombs...

[grantcart]

2. You think that is strange, you should see the nightly changing of the guard at the border

Thousands attend







Osama Bin Laden's main target to create mass war wasn't Palestine it was Kashmir. The passions are still hot.

You can read about the border changing ceremony here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagah-Attari_border_ceremony

As at Wagah-Attari border, border soldiers from both sides intimidate each other by throwing high kicks and by staring, and the ceremonies are concluded by a simultaneous flag retreat. These ceremonies occur in smaller settings, and spectators tend to be local Punjabis rather than tourists from other regions in India, Pakistan, and other countries. The method of drill and parade is also quite different compared to the one in Wagah-Attari border.

In this instance it is Pakistan and not India that is more restrained and tries to lower the passions.