China’s state-backed media Global Times said that China did not release its casualty numbers to avoid an ‘escalation’ claiming that ‘the Indian Government would come under pressure’ if it did so.
The Chinese mouthpiece said that any speculations alleging that Chinese casualty numbers were higher than India’s were false, maintaining that its numbers were ‘less than 20’, in comparison to the casualties on the Indian side.
The newspaper continued saying that Indian officials want to placate nationalists by making speculations on China’s casualties to satisfy Indian hardliners, such as speculating that China lost more soldiers than India.
China has not released any information on the casualties suffered by the People’s Liberation Army soldiers during the violent face-off in eastern Ladakh – something that it has allegedly drawing flak over within its borders despite the administration’s authoritarianism.
While at least 20 Indians soldiers were martyred, ANI, quoting Chinese cables, suggests 43 casualties including dead and injured from the Chinese side. Meanwhile, US intelligence said 35 Chinese had died, while Prasar Bharti, quoting sources, said 45 had died.
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