What was the Battle of Galwan: The 2020 Sino-Indian clash on which Salman Khan’s new film is based

Salman Khan took to social media on Friday evening to share a motion poster and announce his upcoming film Battle of Galwan, based on the 2020 Indo-China skirmish. The military-actioner will see Salman in the role of an Army officer. The film also stars Chitrangada Singh and will be directed by Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) director Apoorva Lakhia. It will also have music by Himesh Reshammiya.

But what is the Galwan Valley conflict where Indian and Chinese soldiers had to resolve to stones and clubs to fight? Let's understand.

Where is Galwan Valley?

The region is situated in Ladakh in the Western sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the border between India and China. It is close to the Aksai Chin area, which is controlled by China but claimed by India.

What was the conflict?

Indian and Chinese soldiers fought in a series of melee attacks in June 2020. The battle happened at patrolling point 14 (PP-14), near the confluence of the Galwan and Shyok rivers. The soldiers fought without firearms due to previous bilateral agreements and used stones, clubs and makeshift weapons.

What was the reason?

The battle was because of a border disputes including India’s infrastructural development along the LAC. China wasn’t pleased with the country’s construction of the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road which connects to an important airbase. They viewed as a threat to their territorial claims in the region.

Casualties?

India claimed 20 of its soldiers were killed in the clash. China initially remained silent but then admitted to four of its soldiers dead

Aftermath?

A series of bilateral talks ensued post the clash. Partial disengagement happened in some friction points, but border tensions still persist in some areas like Depsang and Demchok.