India/China border unrest

Indian and Chinese soldiers skirmished along a disputed border in the Ladakh region of Kashmir on June 15. At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed and 45 Chinese soldiers were killed or injured (China has not released official numbers of casualties). It was the first casualties from military actions between the two countries along that border in 45 years. According to both countries, no firearms were used in the fighting, as a treaty between them bans guns from the region.

Though the incident had not led to further attacks as of press time, satellite photos showed an increase in Chinese military activity in the area, including newly constructed buildings and military hardware.

Neither country has agreed on the location of the border in Ladakh, leading to a regular risk that one country’s troops will enter a portion of land that the other country’s troops consider theirs.