China sent marshal art fighters near LAC before Galwan clash: Reports

Before the deadly Galwan Valley clash between PLA and Indian troops, Beijing sent marshal art fighters and mountain climbers near the Line of Actual Control, the official military newspaper China National Defense News said.

Beijing: China sent marshal art fighters near Line of Actual Control just before Galwan clashes between the troops of two Asian giants, Beijing's state media said.

Five new militia divisions including former members of a Mount Everest Olympic torch relay team and fighters from a mixed martial arts club presented themselves for inspection at Lhasa on June 15, the official military newspaper China National Defense News reported.

Tibet commander Wang Haijiang said the Enbo Fight Club recruits would "greatly raise the organization and mobilization strength" of troops and their "rapid response and supportability," China National Defense News reported, although he did not explicitly confirm their deployment was linked to ongoing border tensions.

Around midnight on June 15, soldiers attacked each other with rocks, clubs and their fists in the Galwan Valley, the deadliest violence between the two countries in 45 years.

Indian security officials said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures. China has not said whether it suffered any casualties in the clash.

New Delhi and Beijing have blamed each other for the melee and staked fresh claims on the area where it occurred.