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New Delhi: India's leading sportspersons, including cricket captain Virat Kohli and former football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, have paid tributes to the 20 Army personnel killed during a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh.
The clash at the Galwan valley was the biggest Indo-China military confrontation in over five decades and escalated the volatile border standoff in the region.
Kohli offered his condolences to the families of deceased Indian soldiers and wrote on Twitter: "Salute and deepest respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our country in the Galwan Valley. No one is more selfless and brave than a soldier. Sincere condolences to the families. I hope they find peace through our prayers at this difficult time."
Salute and deepest respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our country in the Galwan Valley. NO one is more selfless and brave than a soldier. Sincere condolences to the families. I hope they find peace through our prayers at this difficult time. 🙏
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 17, 2020
His white ball deputy Rohit Sharma also mourned the death of the soldiers.
Rohit paid tribute to the "real heroes" and said: "Salute to our REAL HEROES who laid their lives protecting and honouring our border. May god give their families utmost strength #GalwanValley."
Salute to our REAL HEROES who laid their lives protecting and honouring our border. May god give their families utmost strength #GalwanValley
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) June 17, 2020
Fast-bowler Ishant Sharma wrote on Twitter: "A big salute to our bravehearts who have been fighting for our motherland day and night, only to protect us. My condolences and prayers to the family! Om Shanti!#indiachinastandoff."
A big salute to our bravehearts who have been fighting for our motherland day and night, only to protect us. My condolences and prayers to the family! Om Shanti! 🙏 #indiachinastandoff
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) June 17, 2020
Former opener Virender Sehwag also reacted on Twitter: "Heartfelt condolences to Col. Santosh Babu who made the supreme sacrifice in action at the Galwan Valley. At a time when the world is dealing with a serious pandemic, this is the last thing we need. I hope Cheeni sudhar jaayein."
Heartfelt condolences to Col. Santosh Babu who made the Supreme Sacrifice in action at the#GalwanValley . At a time, when the world is dealing with a serious pandemic, this is the last thing we need. I hope Cheeni sudhar jaayein. pic.twitter.com/PlvE9WStEY
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 16, 2020
Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh said: "I salute the courage of our Indian soldiers who have been martyred at #GalwanValley. All these atrocities must stop and hope we can have a peaceful world where human life is valued. My thoughts are with the bereaved families, I pray for their strength."
I salute the courage of our Indian soldiers who have been martyred at #GalwanValley
All these atrocities must stop and hope we can have a peaceful world where human life is valued.
My thoughts are with the bereaved families, I pray for their strength 🙏🏻
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 16, 2020
Former pacer Irfan Pathan tweeted: "We will always be indebted to our jawans of #IndianArmy who lost their lives in #GalwanValley #JaiHind."
We will always be indebted to our jawans of #IndianArmy who lost their lives in #GalwanValley #JaiHind
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 16, 2020
Bhutia, who has also dabbled in politics, termed the attack a "planned one".
"China had asked all its citizens to leave India few weeks back. The killing of our soldiers in LAC was a I think a planned one.
"We completely condemn this cowardly act of China. Indian Govt should take strong necessary action and not bow down to Chinese aggression," Bhutia wrote on the micro-blogging site.
China had asked all its citizens to leave India few weeks back. The killing of our soldiers in LAC was a I think a planned one. We completely condemn this cowardly act of China. Indian Govt should take strong necessary action and not bow down to Chinese aggression pic.twitter.com/PToDa61mLv
— Bhaichung Bhutia (@bhaichung15) June 17, 2020
Olympic bronze medal winning duo of wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and shuttler Saina Nehwal and cricketer Shikhar Dhawan were also among the notable athletes to pay tributes.
लद्दाख में गलवान घाटी में चीन के सैनिकों के साथ झड़प में भारतीय सेना के तीन जवान शहीद होने का समाचार मन को व्यथित करने वाला है। भारत मां और सीमा की रक्षार्थ शहीद हुए जवानों को शत शत नमन एवं परिवारजनों के प्रति संवेदनाएं। @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/GiID9v5WQg
— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) June 16, 2020
I salute the Indian army 🇮🇳💪..I salute the Indian soldiers who were martyred at #GalwanValley ..My heart goes out to the families of these brave soldiers..🙏 #JaiHind @IndINDIANARMY pic.twitter.com/L31a3YGlcS
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) June 16, 2020
A sacrifice that will never be forgotten by the nation. Heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the Indian Army officer and the two soldiers. Saluting your bravery, Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 #GalwanValley pic.twitter.com/Kk2Wt0WdSs
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 16, 2020
(With Agency Inputs)
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