In the backdrop of ongoing talks at military and diplomatic levels, fresh revelations have come to light regarding Chinese attempts to attack and seize Indian Army positions in Eastern Ladakh. The period between September 2021 and November 2022 saw at least two instances of such aggressive moves by Chinese troops, leading to confrontations that resulted in injuries to several Chinese soldiers. These details emerged through an investiture ceremony held by two commands of the Indian Army over the weekend, shedding light on the heroic actions of Indian soldiers during these clashes.
Earlier reports from August 2020 had hinted that the Galwan clash was not an isolated incident, with several preceding skirmishes, including all-night clashes causing substantial injuries on both sides. The recently disclosed clashes offer a deeper understanding of the escalating tension between these two nuclear-armed powers, locked in a standoff since May 2020.
The investiture ceremony videos, showcasing soldiers honoured with gallantry medals for their acts of bravery across the Army’s operational areas, were initially made public. However, as information about these clashes trickled out, the Western Command took down the YouTube video.
The Central Command’s ceremony, on the other hand, highlighted the valour of a major from the Para SF, the Army’s elite commando unit. Stationed in North Sikkim, he crossed over to the “enemy” side, providing 120 hours of live feed of military movement despite challenging weather conditions.
Although China was not explicitly named, it’s worth noting that Sikkim shares a boundary with Tibet, which is under Chinese occupation. Regarding developments in Eastern Ladakh, it has now been disclosed that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers attacked an Indian Army post at a location called Shankar Tekri along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on January 7, 2022.
The citation of a sepoy from the Sikh Light Infantry revealed the exceptional bravery displayed during this incident. The sepoy, with unmatched valour, confronted intruding Chinese troops in a brutal hand-to-hand battle, successfully repulsing the attack. In the process, he wounded four PLA soldiers and confiscated their rifles.
Another clash occurred on November 27, 2022, where around 50 PLA soldiers attempted to cross the LAC at Atari Post. In this instance, a naib subedar from the 19th Battalion of the J&K Rifles was awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for leading the charge against the invading PLA troops. Despite sustaining injuries in the attack, the naib subedar effectively led the operation to thwart the PLA, leaving around 15 of them injured.
The citations also brought to light covert operations carried out by Indian troops. While specific dates were not disclosed, an officer from the 15th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for leading a covert operation “deep within” Chinese territory. This operation, codenamed “Operation Dorji,” remains classified. Another soldier from the same battalion received the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for a similar operation.
Additionally, the citations revealed the bravery of an officer deputed to the Intelligence Corps. On September 16, 2022, under Operation Snow Leopard, the officer ventured into “enemy territory” in Eastern Ladakh. Despite suffering from high-altitude sickness, the officer persevered, completing the assigned task without being detected by the enemy. He was also honoured with the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for “displaying stealth and tactical skill, enhancing India’s strategic edge in the area.”
During the annual press conference on the eve of the Army Day, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, characterized the situation at the LAC with China as “stable but sensitive” and outlined India’s expectations for China to take specific military actions to bring an end to the ongoing standoff.