158 Indian soldiers killed in cross border attack, claims Chinese media

Beijing [China], July 17 (ANI): In a bizarre claim, the Chinese media said that at least 158 Indian soldiers were killed and several others injured after China fired rockets across Indian border installations on Monday. This development came after China reportedly indulged in live ammunition drill with a fully equipped brigade in the area today close to Tibet border. The tensions between China and India have been escalating for the past three weeks over the borer standoff at the Doklam area. The rift escalated after Chinese Army's construction party attempted to build road near the area. Citing a two-minute footage that was broadcast on China Central Television (CCTV), Dunya news reported that the Chiense soldiers attacked Indian posts using rocket launchers, machine guns, and mortars. The present standoff between India and China emerged after New Delhi expressed its apprehension over Beijing's road construction in the Sikkim sector of the border. While India claims Sikkim border as part of its territory, China has said that the area falls on their side as per the 1890 treaty signed between British and China. Consequently, China suspended the annual Kailash Manasarovar yatra and conceded that the decision to suspend the pilgrimage was due to the border scuffle. It also alleged that the Indian troops had crossed the Sikkim section of the Indo- China border. (ANI)