MOS Home praises CRPF, recalls ‘big damage’ it caused to China in 1959

nNEW DELHI: Union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai on Monday paid tribute to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for its valour and sacrifice while recalling the “big damage” it caused to the Chinese Liberation Army (PLA) when it attacked a patrol of the Indian paramilitary force in Ladakh in October 1959.

He drew parallels between the 1959 incident and the June 15 clash in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a face-off with the Chinese troops in Ladakh.

Rai said China faced similar consequences on June 15 as it did in 1959 during a clash with CRPF men in Ladakh’s Hot Springs even as the paramilitary force was outnumbered. “What a coincidence. Whenever China attacks, its strength is huge and ours is less... but China has always suffered the consequences,” said Rai at a function to mark CRPF’S 82nd foundation day without elaborating. Union home minister Amit Shah was scheduled to attend the event but he could not because of some other meeting.

China has not confirmed its casualties following the June 15 clash but has said they were on both sides.

The clash marked the biggest loss of life in combat between India and China since 1967. Rai said on October 21, 1959, PLA troops attacked the CRPF patrol and killed 10 Indian troops besides taking seven as prisoners.

He added the force showed great valour and caused “big damage” to the Chinese. October 21 is also celebrated as the police memorial day.

“The CRPF has a rich history of valour and sacrifice...and on October 21, 1959, it showed that in Hot Springs in Ladakh when the Chinese attacked.”

CHINA HAS NOT YET CONFIRMED ITS CASUALTIES FOLLOWING THE JUNE 15 CLASH