Bengaluru, Jun 17 (IANS): Asserting that the whole country stood by its troops, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday paid rich tributes to the 20 soldiers martyred in a violent face-off with their Chinese counterparts at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh on Monday.

"In the Galwan Valley on the Sino-Indian border, tributes to the valour and sacrifice of our soldiers who have been martyred for defending the country and fighting the enemy," said Yediyurappa in a statement in Kannada here.

State Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan said in a grim situation on the border, the people should work together as a nation.

"We must support our security forces without compromising the country's dignity. I am confident that they (soldiers) will be cared for by the government," said Narayan in a statement here.

Opposition Congress leader and former state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the party was committed to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India.

"The sacrifice of our brave soldiers should not go in vain. Let us pay tribute to the martyrs and their families. Let us condemn the Chinese atrocity," said Siddaramaiah.

Janata Dal-Secular supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda said: "I salute the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the borders of our nation. May their souls rest in peace. I also offer condolences to their bereaved families. We all need to stand together now.