REMEMBERING THE BRAVE ONES
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REMEMBERING THE BRAVE ONES
BORDER
SKIRMISH BETWEEN TWO ASIAN GIANT NATIONS IN SIKKIM
“EXEMPLARY
BRAVERY OF INDIAN JAWANS”
Hem Kr. Subba: Chinese intrusion into India territory has been
taking place ever since the Chinese conquest of Tibet & deployment of their
armed forces along the border being shared by their Indian counterpart. China
still stakes claim to some mountainous regions of India on the ground that they
were once the parts of greater Tibet, protectorate region of Chinese Empire.
Moreover, Beijing denounces the Shimla Accord of 1913 as illegal and considers
the territory demarcated by Mc Mohan line as disputed one. To exhibit and
activate their military might, china had launched massive military offensive in
Akshai-China in Ladakh and Bomdilla in NEFA and overran Indian territories,
inflicting crushing defeats on Indian troops at several battle fronts in 1962.
Even today the developments of Chinese infiltration
into Indian Territory are often reported and to resolve escalating border row
the flag meetings are being held frequently. It is to be taken note of that in
the months of September-October 1967, border conflicts had erupted at Nathula pass
and Chola pass in Sikkim, about five years after Sino-Indian war of 1962.
Sikkim, the then Himalayan Kingdom was a protectorate state of india since the
colonial period and had witnessed bloodiest border conflict within its land.On 1st October 1697, round three weeks
after Nathula skirmish between Peoples Liberation Army of China and Indian
Brigade based in Nathula (comprising 2nd Grenadiers, 18 Rajputs and
attached Artillery & Engineer Regiment). One more border development was
reported at Chola sector. In Chola, there was a flat patch of icy land of about
5 metres on the unmarked boundary between china and india. There was a boulder
of about 30 cm in height in the centre of narrow crest which marked the
dividing line, according to watershed principle.
The main reason for the tussle was later revealed.
It was known that a handful of sentries of 7/11 Gorkha Rifles (India) and those
of PLA (China) were positioned on either side of the boulder. The border was
open without RCC wall and barbed wire. The Chinese company commander and the
political commissioner were staking claims to the boulder at the outpost. Naib
Subedar Gyan Bahadur Limbu (JCO) posted at Sentry post at point 15450 was
having a heated argument with his Chinese counterpart during which he rested
his foot on the boulder under dispute. The five Chinese soldiers approached and
one kicked his foot away but he obstinately put his foot back and challenged
them. The Chinese turned aggressive and one of them bayoneted Gyan’s thigh and
injured him. The Gorkhas response was swift and heroic. Both arms of the
Chinese who hit the JCO were chopped off with a Khukuri. At this point, the
Chinese opened fire with guns, mortars and RCLs and the two sides engaged in a
firefight at close range. The Gorkhas were led by Lance Naik Krishna Bahadur
Rai, the post commander though he was hit and severely injured. Rifleman Devi
Prasad Limbu was already engaged in close quarter battle with the enemy and he
single handedly beheaded five Chinese soldiers with his Khukuri. But he was
claimed by a direct hit. For his heroic action he was awarded “Vir Chakra”
posthumously. Lance Naik Krishna Bahadur was also killed whose body was later
returned by the Chinese with full military honour. The Chinese commander who
attended the funeral ceremony praised the bravery of the Indian soldiers
stating that “they fought like tigers”. Lt. Rathore continued to lead his
jawans until he was hit in the chest and abdomen and died immediately. Major
K.B. Joshi also killed enemy soldiers and frustrated the attempts of the enemy
to overrun the post. He kept boasting his Gorkha jawans to mobve forward and
hold the enemy back. The enemy attacked posts in Rai gap area and Tamzey with
rocket, RCL & Grenades and caused heavy casualties in the post held by 10th
JAK rifles. In the process, the Chinese fired green lights, ostensibly for a
ceasefire. The Gorkhas had reached Tamzey to take position as ordered by
officiating GOC Brigadier Kundan Singh. The casualties suffered by Chinese were heavier than
those of Indian. They lost over 400 soldiers and 450 were severely wounded while
on Indian side 88 were killed and 163 wounded. The bravery shown by Indian
jawans is commendable and will ever be remembered. It is the victory the Indian
army experienced and celebrated.
References: Chola
Incident (Internet)
Biennial
bulletin 11 G.R.T.C
Sino
Indian border conflict (1967)
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