EAM responds to Rahul's salvo; says Indian troops were carrying firearms

New Delhi: In the backdrop of questions raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on why Indian soldiers were sent “unarmed to martyrdom” in Ladakh, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar clarified that all troops on border duty are armed always.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said that the martyred soldiers at Galwan valley were carrying firearms.

“Let us get the facts straight. All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post. Those at Galwan on 15 June did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile the Indian Army also issued a statement saying that none of its soldiers are missing in action, as was being claimed in few reports.