[The content of this article is based on authoritative historical data, and there are citations at the end of the article, please be aware.] 】
On June 15, 2020, an unusual night was ushered in in the Galwan Valley in the Himalayas. At an altitude of more than 4,000 meters, this plateau is usually silent, broken only by the howling cold wind and the occasional howl of wild beasts. However, on this day, the man-made hustle and bustle suddenly broke the calm here.
On this cold night, the Chinese and Indian armies engaged in a fierce confrontation in the disputed area. Although the conflict did not use modern guns, it was no less tragic than a skirmish. Armed with cold weapons, soldiers on both sides engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat in the steep mountainous terrain.
Over time, more details of this conflict gradually emerged. Recently, a photo appeared on the Internet, purportedly of Indian military items seized during the conflict in the Galwan Valley on display at the Beijing Military Museum. The items included the individual equipment of a Sikh soldier of the Indian Army, including his assault backpack, cutlery, family photos, cell phone, diary, etc.
These ordinary belongings silently tell the story of an ordinary soldier. His diary records the hardships of serving in the border region, complaining about the extreme cold weather and poor living conditions. The story of this Sikh soldier may represent the voice of many India soldiers stationed on this plateau.
Also on display at the stand were three Insas rifle magazines, two of which were empty. These magazines are of poor quality material and often crack and jam, seriously affecting the use of weapons. These deficiencies can have fatal consequences in real combat.
At the time of the conflict, the India military was implementing a program called "Snow Leopard". They mobilized elite soldiers from battalion-sized units in an attempt to change the status quo of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) through surprise attacks. However, the development of events completely exceeded the expectations of the Indian side.
When the 16th Battalion of the Indian Army took the lead in the attack, they encountered stubborn resistance from the Chinese army. The Chinese soldiers, under the leadership of the regiment commander Qi Fabao, showed extraordinary courage and combat effectiveness. Despite the numerical superiority of the Indian army, they soon fell into a disadvantage.
During the battle, both sides used a variety of cold weapons. Some India reporters broke the news that Chinese soldiers used shovels and maces to fight the Indian army, a primitive and barbaric way of fighting that made it difficult for the Indian army to deal with. As the fighting continued, the morale of the Indian army quickly collapsed.
When the main commander of the Indian army was defeated, the remaining soldiers began to lose their organization and scattered to the west. In the panic, more than 20 Indian soldiers accidentally fell into the valley. Many more are choosing to abandon their weapons and equipment and flee in all directions. Some even surrendered on their knees, raising their hands for fear of being reckoned.
The outcome of this conflict is appalling. The Indian army not only suffered heavy losses, but also lost a large amount of weapons and equipment. The Chinese army captured a lot of Indian army equipment and supplies. However, the victory did not come without a price. On the Chinese side, four officers and soldiers were also killed, and the regiment commander Qi Fabao was seriously wounded.
After the end of the conflict, the Chinese army, in the spirit of humanitarianism, provided medical treatment to wounded India soldiers. The gesture demonstrated a certain mutual respect between the soldiers, even in hostile situations.
The impact of this conflict extends far beyond the battlefield. Within India, mood is heating up rapidly. In the streets, people are discussing this shocking confrontation. Some activists have even launched a campaign to boycott Chinese goods, linking the economic front to a military conflict.
At the same time, the India government is under tremendous pressure. They need to strike a balance between preserving the dignity of the country and avoiding further deterioration of the situation. Prime Minister Modi said in a public speech that Chinese soldiers "did not invade" India's borders.
The remarks immediately caused an uproar at home, forcing the prime minister's office to quickly clarify, saying Modi's words were praising the bravery of the India army. In China, state media coverage of the conflict has been relatively restrained.
Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, explained that China's failure to immediately release casualty figures was done out of "good intentions" and hoped to avoid provoking emotions in both countries. It wasn't until eight months later that Chinese officials revealed for the first time information about the four fallen servicemen, including a battalion commander.
Over time, both sides began to work to ease tensions. A series of commander-level meetings unfolded one after another, and the representatives of the two sides engaged in another contest at the negotiating table. India insisted that China withdraw its troops from all key regions, while China demanded that India reduce infrastructure in the relevant regions.
During these talks, the military leaders of the two countries had to confront a complex reality: how to protect their respective interests while preventing the situation from spiraling out of control again. Every handshake, every conversation, can affect the lives of millions of people and the future relationship between the two ancient civilizations.
However, even during the negotiations, tensions persisted in the border areas. India media reported that the standoff between the two armies had not been completely lifted at places such as Pangong Tso and Gogra outposts. Every movement of a patrol, every new facility, can be the trigger for a new round of conflict.
In this tense situation, the daily life of ordinary soldiers has become extremely difficult. The story of the Sikh soldier whose diary was seized may be a common experience for many border soldiers. In his diary, he described the unbearable cold, as well as the depressing living conditions.
Even in summer, the temperature can drop to minus 10-15 degrees. In winter, the temperature drops to minus 30-40 degrees. The biting cold wind enveloped the dry air characteristic of the plateau, inexorably encroaching on every inch of bare skin. In such an environment, simply surviving has become a challenge, let alone maintaining a high level of combat readiness.
In addition to the harsh natural environment, the lack of logistical support has also brought great trouble to the border soldiers. Some India soldiers complained that in the "Ladakh" region they often did not have enough to eat. A meal often consists of just a bowl of gruel and a few pancakes, which simply cannot meet the body's energy needs in a high-altitude environment. In order to replenish calories, some soldiers had to rely on white sugar for maintenance.
Over time, the aftermath of the conflict continues to affect relations between the two countries. In the diplomatic arena, the two sides launched a fierce battle of public opinion. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that the Galwan Valley was on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control, while India refuted the claim, arguing that the area was undisputedly Indian-administered Ladakh.
One of the points of controversy is a road built by India in the border area. This road, which connects Leh and the Karakoram Pass, has aroused a high degree of vigilance on the part of the Chinese side. Chinese officials believe that India has stepped up patrols after building roads, changing the status quo in the region. However, the Indian side insisted that these construction activities were carried out within the Line of Actual Control.
Against the backdrop of ongoing tensions, the armies of the two countries have had to face enormous challenges posed by the highland environment. According to the former defense minister of India, natural conditions alone have led to a non-combat attrition rate of more than 10%. Cold, lack of oxygen and logistical difficulties became the common enemy of both sides.
However, as time went on, sanity seemed to begin to take over. In February 2021, China and India agreed on mutual withdrawals in the Pangong Tso area. Satellite imagery shows that the Chinese side demolished dozens of temporary structures and transferred a large number of vehicles. India officials said similar action had been taken.
The withdrawal offers hope for easing tensions along the border. However, experts warn that the fundamental problems in relations between the two countries remain unresolved. Border disputes, geopolitical rivalries, and clashes of economic interests remain.
Looking back on this conflict, one cannot help but wonder: in this era of nuclear weapons, does the fact that two populous countries are still fighting a duel with cold weapons reflect a certain historical absurdity? Ordinary soldiers who served on the plateau, whose diaries were filled with complaints about the harsh environment, could become victims of history overnight.
Eventually, the conflict became a turning point in the relationship between the two countries. It has not only changed the balance of power in the border regions, but also affected the geopolitical landscape of the entire region.
The specifics may fade into obscurity over time, but the problems revealed by the conflict – border disputes, nationalist sentiments, great power games – will continue to shape the future of these two Asian giants.
In the cold winds of the Galwan Valley, discarded weapons, torn photographs and diaries full of complaints became the most silent witnesses to the conflict. They tell a complex story of humanity, national interests and geopolitics, a story that is far from over.
In the aftermath of this conflict, relations between the two countries have gone through a long period of adjustment. Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions in the border areas have not fully dissipated. The soldiers who fought fiercely in the Galwan Valley may now be away from the front lines, but their experiences are etched in the collective memory of both countries.
Over time, the details of this conflict gradually became public. The Indian military items on display at the Beijing Military Museum have become a powerful testimony to this period of history. The diary full of complaints, those empty magazines, are silently telling the stories of ordinary soldiers.
In India, the conflict has sparked a rethinking of military equipment and logistics. The plight of those soldiers who struggled in extreme conditions has attracted widespread public attention. People began to question why border soldiers had to endure such harsh living conditions in this age of advanced technology.
In China, the narrative of the conflict is more restrained. Although state media reported on the heroic deeds of the fallen soldiers, they had relatively limited descriptions of the specifics. This approach may reflect China's consistent approach to sensitive international issues.
In the end, this conflict on the roof of the world not only changed the balance of power between the two countries in the border region, but also profoundly affected the geopolitical pattern of the entire South Asian region.
It is a reminder that even in this age of connectivity, age-old territorial disputes can still lead to bitter confrontations. The seized items and the stories that have been circulated have become silent witnesses to this conflict of "throwing guns and objects and scattering and fleeing".
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