‘Had fought valiantly in Kargil War’: Congress slams Centre over death of ex-serviceman in Ladakh protests

Over 60 persons, including two councilors, were taken into custody. They include climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who was detained under the National Security Act on Friday

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on September 29 condemned Central government for the way it dealt with the Ladakh protests last week that led to the death of an ex-serviceman.

The grand old party’s communications in-charge said Tsewang Tharchin was an ex-serviceman and he had served at the Siachen Glacier.

“Tsewang Tharchin, an ex-serviceman, had served at the Siachen Glacier and fought valiantly in the Kargil War.  His father too had served in the Indian Army,” Ramesh posted on X.

The Congress leader, further, said Tharchin was “protesting peacefully” for the inclusion of Ladakh in the sixth schedule.

“It should be a matter of the deepest anguish and outrage that he was killed along with three others in the firing on the agitationists five days back,” he added.

Tsewang Tharchin, an ex-serviceman, had served at the Siachen Glacier and fought valiantly in the Kargil War. His father too had served in the Indian Army.

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Tsewang Tharchin was protesting peacefully for Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. It should be a matter of the deepest…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 29, 2025

Meanwhile, curfew remained in force in Leh for the sixth-straight day after protests had turned violent last week.

"The situation remained by and large peaceful in the curfew-bound areas with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Police and paramilitary forces are deployed in strength in sensitive areas and are maintaining strict vigil to maintain law and order,” an official said, adding that Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta was likely to chair a meeting to review the overall security situation.

He said the Lt Governor has convened a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan to review the security situation in view of the last rites of ex-serviceman Tsewang Tharchin of Skurbuchan and Rinchen Dadul (21) of Hanu later in the day.

The last rites of two youngsters -- Stanzin Namgyal (24) and Jigmet Dorjay (25) --- were performed on Sunday. The four persons had died on September 24 amid widespread violence in the town.

The officials said mobile internet services continued to remain suspended in Leh town, while prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons also remained in force in other major parts of the Union Territory, including Kargil.

Over 60 persons, including two councilors, were taken into custody. They include climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who was detained under the National Security Act on Friday and subsequently lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.

With PTI inputs