34 Indian soldiers 'handed back' after capture by Chinese forces, 4 still missing

After news broke of the first fatalities on the Indo-China border since 1975, with at least 20 Indian soldiers being killed in a "violent face off", UK-based publication The Telegraph reported that four are missing.

Quoting Indian army sources, it also said that 34 Indian soldiers "were handed back after being captured".

An Indian army veteran, placing the death toll at 13, said on Twitter that the Indian soldiers were killed when they went to "negotiate their withdrawal" with the Chinese troops.

The post was retweeted by The Telegraph's India correspondent Joe Wallen.

Earlier today, three Indian soldiers were killed in the Galwan Valley after a "violent face-off" ensued between India and China near the border, reported Indian media outlet NDTV.

According to Indian media, an officer and two soldiers were among those killed near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"During the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday night with casualties. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers. Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation," an official statement said.