Home > English-DNS

Blog / 22 Jun 2020

(Daily News Scan - DNS English) Decoding Nathula Conflict

image


(Daily News Scan - DNS English) Decoding Nathula Conflict


The news of deaths of Indian soldiers in a faceoff on Ladakh border a couple of days back made the whole nation mourn for the brave soldiers. But, the only comforting news was, that no rounds were fired during the physical clash with the Chinese soldiers. This attack and conflict between India and China is not for the first time that take took place. Previously, decades ago India and China military clash took place at Nathu La in the year 1967.

In the Himalayas far to the southeast of the location of the present violence, several deadly encounters between the world’s two most populous countries left dozens of Indians and Chinese soldiers dead. In 1967, a face-off with Chinese troops lasted for over two months at the other end of the Himalayas, on the Doklam plateau. The conflict was encouraged at that time due to the non-military activities. Around 80-200 Indian soldiers were killed along with 300 Chinese soldiers.

Weeks and months ahead of the clash, the INDIAN side had decided to fence the border with three layers of barbed wire. The Indians wanted to construct a fence to put an end to what they saw as Chinese incursions. To the Chinese, this seemed like arrogant aggression, coming from an army they had beaten soundly just five years earlier in 1962.

India felt that a physical barrier might be helpful in stopping daily arguments between soldiers over who should stand where and how on that part of the border. The Chinese, obviously disagreed.

Several attempts were made to stop Indians from erecting the fence. The work of the same started on August 20, 1967. Later, on 23rd August around 75 Chinese soldiers carrying rifles fitted with bayonets, advanced slowly towards Nathu La in an extended line stopping at the border. Standing there they read out slogans showing their protest. This lasted for an hour.

On September 5, as the barbed wire fence was being upgraded to a concertina coil, the Political Commissar had an argument with the Commanding Officer of the local infantry battalion, Lt Colonel Singh. Thereafter, work stopped.

Work however, resumed on September 7. This provoked about 100 Chinese soldiers to rush up, and a tussle began. The Chinese resorted to stone-pelting, and the Indians responded in kind. On, September 10, a warning was sent by the Chinese to the Indian embassy. However, on September 11 the work of the fence began again. Seeing this the Chinese started revolting and came to protest, led by the Political Commissar. Lt Col Rai Singh went out to talk to them. But suddenly opened fire injuring the Lt Col.

Seeing their CoL hit, the infantry battalion attacked the Chinese post. But they suffered heavy casualties, including two officers, who were both given gallantry awards. Soldiers in the open were mowed down by Chinese machine gun fire.

The Indians responded with artillery fire, and pummelled every Chinese post in the vicinity. Many more Chinese perished in these heavy fire assaults than the number of Indians who were killed in the initial engagement.
Taken aback by the strong Indian response, the Chinese threatened to bring in warplanes. When the Indians refused to back off, the Chinese news agency denied these plans.

Having sent its message militarily, India, on September 12, delivered a note to the Chinese, offering an unconditional ceasefire across the Sikkim-Tibet border emerging on September 13. This was rejected, but the situation remained largely peaceful until the 14th. On September 15, the Chinese handed over the bodies of Indian soldiers with arms and ammunition, saying they were acting in the interest of “preserving Sino-Indian friendship”.
The 1967 incident was the last incident of casualties that took between both the countries India and China in the Sikkim sector.