Havildar from Ramanathapuram among soldiers killed in India-China 'face-off' in Ladakh

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said that he was pained to hear about the death of soldier K. Palani, hailing from Kadukkalur village in Ramanathapuram district, and conveyed his grief to the bereaved family.

Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 20 lakh for Palani's family and said that a government job would be given to one of his family members.

Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M.K. Stalin also condoled the death of the three Army personnel on Monday night, pointing out that Palani had served the Army for 22 years.

It is perhaps the first such incident along the border with China that Indian armed forces personnel have been killed after a gap of nearly 45 years. 

Four Indian soldiers had lost their lives in an ambush at Tulung La in Arunachal Pradesh in 1975.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko said that China, which was now facing accusations of spreading coronavirus, allegedly embarked on such activities to divert the world's attention. The incident has occurred against the backdrop of India nurturing friendly ties with China, he said, adding this was evidenced by the warm welcome accorded toChinese President Xi Jinping when he visited Mamallapuram inTamil Nadu last year for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Vaiko, a Rajya Sabha MP, paid rich tributes to the three Army men and hailed their supreme sacrifice. Extending his condolences to their bereaved kin, he said the Tamil Nadu soldier who was killed had spoken to his wife on the day of the attack.

The Army man from Tamil Nadu is survived by his wife and two children, he said, adding the slain soldier was about to retire in a year following 22 years of service.

AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran, paying rich tributes to the three Army personnel, said their killing was an act of cowardice by the Chinese military.

The AMMK chief also referred to the sacrifice of the Tamil Nadu soldier and said he bowed to his sacrifice and condoled the deaths of the Army men.