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Indian soldiers killed in clash with Chinese forces
Three Indian soldiers have been killed in a clash with Chinese forces in Ladakh in the disputed Kashmir region.
The deaths are the first in the disputed border area in at least 45 years, and follow rising military tensions between the nuclear powers.
The Indian army said senior military officials from both sides were “meeting to defuse the situation”, adding that both sides suffered casualties.
An Indian army spokesman said the dead were one officer and two soldiers.
China did not confirm any casualties, but accused India of crossing the border in the Galwan Valley.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said India had crossed the border twice on Monday, “provoking and attacking Chinese personnel, resulting in serious physical confrontation between border forces on the two sides”, AFP news agency reported.
Both sides insist no bullet has been fired in four decades, and the Indian army said on Tuesday that “no shots were fired” in this latest skirmish.
Local media outlets reported that the Indian soldiers were “beaten to death” but there was no confirmation from the military.
China’s Global Times newspaper reported that “solemn representations” had been made with India over the incident.
The clash comes amid rising tensions between the two powers, which have brawled along the border in recent weeks but not exchanged any gunfire.
India has accused China of sending thousands of troops into Ladakh’s Galwan valley and says China occupies 38,000sq km (about 14,700sq miles) of its territory. Several rounds of talks in the last three decades have failed to resolve the boundary disputes.
The deaths reported on Tuesday are believed to be the first in decades in a confrontation between the two powers. They have fought only one war so far, in 1962, when India suffered a humiliating defeat.
In May, dozens of Indian and Chinese soldiers exchanged physical blows in a clash on the border in the north-eastern state of Sikkim. And in 2017, the two countries clashed in the region after China tried to extend a border road through a disputed plateau.
Their armies – two of the world’s largest – come face to face at many points. The two sides are separated by the poorly demarcated Line of Actual Control (LAC). Rivers, lakes and snowcaps mean the line can shift, provoking confrontation. -BBC
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NPP is so hurt by my nomination – Sam George
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, and Member of Parliament(MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, says opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) are hurt by his nomination.
The minister who was approved by the majority in Parliament yesterday in a Facebook post stated that “It is clear to me that the NPP is so hurt by my nomination as Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations and would stop at nothing to fight it.”
His post was in response to photos circulated on social media suggesting he was watching what appears to be nude content on his phone.
Mr. Sam George accused the NPP MPs of circulating fake photos with a false narration to tarnish his reputation, saying: “They have resorted to a smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos.”
“After failing to mobilise their own Caucus in Parliament to vote against my nomination, they have resorted to smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos,” he posted.
He concluded, “I can assure them that the days of misinformation and cheap fabricated lies are coming to an end. The Ministry would tighten regulations on such illegal conducts of misinformation and disinformation in the coming weeks and sanitise our media space.So help me God.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
New BoG governor can’t engage in official duties – Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the assumption of official duties by Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The former Deputy Governor was recently nominated by President John Dramani, on January 31, 2025, to serve as Governor, pending approval by the Council of State.
This follows a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement on March 31, 2025.
However, in a letter to President Mahama dated February 4, Minority Leader raised serious concerns with Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office in the absence of the Council of State.
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiamah should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office,” the letter noted.
He added, “I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
