Officer in charge of sector in 2010: China move premeditated

Calling it wrong to compare these intrusions to Kargil due to the difference in intent, Jaswal said besides talks, the only way forward is to either evict the Chinese or do a quid pro quo by occupying one of their positions.

4 min readChandigarhUpdated: Jun 18, 2020 02:05 AM IST

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Lt Gen B S Jaswal (retd)

Calling the attack on Indian troops at Galwan a premeditated action by China, Lt Gen B S Jaswal (retd), former Army Commander, Northern Command, said he would have supported the use of firearms by Indian troops in the face of such “barbarism”.

Calling it wrong to compare these intrusions to Kargil due to the difference in intent, Jaswal said besides talks, the only way forward is to either evict the Chinese or do a quid pro quo by occupying one of their positions.

“What happened yesterday was a premeditated act on part of the Chinese troops, they want to claim Galwan Valley. Despite reaching a consensus to respect the LAC, they didn’t return 5 km upstream to the actual line.’’

Giving the sequence of events, the Jaswal, who commanded this sector in 2010, said, “When the CO, 16 Bihar, went to PP 14 and asked them to withdraw, they refused and a scuffle ensued. They attacked the commanding officer and our boys reacted. Our disadvantage was that we weren’t carrying any tools…. I believe some soldiers fell off the cliff into the nullah.

“Meanwhile, the Chinese got reinforcements, which led to so many casualties.”

He said, “I salute my boys. They caused double the casualties unarmed.”

Jaswal said the troops refrained from using weapons due to orders. “But if I were there and my troops were being killed in a barbaric manner, their skulls smashed, I would have used weapons.”

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Calling it wrong to compare the Galwan standoff with Kargil, Jaswal said, “It is totally different, the aims are different. Galwan occupation is part of the creeping assertiveness of China. It is like what they did in Longju and Asaphila in Arunachal (Pradesh) — they came and occupied.’’

Jaswal pointed out that the Chinese never objected when India was building roads in the sector in 2010. “I was there in 2010. The road cut was being done and we had even moved a tank on it to check its efficacy. China never objected.”

Now, he said, they want to show solidarity with Pakistan because India is staking claim on Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China Pakistan Economic Corridor is going through that area. “They fear that we have the potential to carve out another Bangladesh.”

Referring to the difference of opinion about the LAC between China and India at various points, Jaswal said the LAC at Galwan was one straight line and there were no two views about it. “That line is 5 km upstream along the Galwan nullah. How come they now say it is up to the Sheok river? They are wrong in saying that we entered their area – it’s they who intruded,” he said.

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On the way forward, Jaswal said talks must continue both at military and diplomatic levels. “We should leverage Tibet and also stop all economic activities with China. But that doesn’t take away the dominating positions that Chinese have occupied at Galwan heights. They can now interdict the DSDBO (Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie) road, an all-weather road in eastern Ladakh.”

Calling quid pro quo another option, he said, “We can go and occupy a certain area, which will then give us some bargaining room. Second, we can physically evict them.”

Either way, the General said the dispute could get protracted. “It’s not that simple, this time they have come with a backup; their intention is to stay.”

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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