India vs China: Why Chushul is important for both India and China?

Team Udayavani, Sep 8, 2020, 12:16 PM IST

India and China are reported to have strengthened their deployment at the latest friction point in Chushul sub-sector in eastern Ladakh

Chushul is a village in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. Indian troops have taken control of some heights which were placed in the “grey zone” on the Line of Actual Control.

According to Indian Express, this sector has plains that are a couple of kilometres wide, where mechanised forces, including tanks, can be deployed. Its airstrip and connectivity by road to Leh add to its operational advantages.

Indian troops have now secured the ridgeline in this sub-sector that allows them to dominate the Chushul bowl on the Indian side, and Moldo sector on the Chinese side.

On the other hand, Chushul is the gateway to Leh. If China enters Chushul, it can launch its operations for Leh.

This place is famous for the Indian Army who fought to the ‘last man, last round’ at Rezang La (Chushul) on 18 November 1962.

In the Sino-Indian War,Chushul was an Indian post that the Chinese Army was adamant in securing.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of 5,000-6,000 soldiers equipped with heavy artillery support attacked Chushul early morning.

The attack started at 03:30 in morning and soon Chushul got enveloped by heavy firing from Chinese. But the Indian soldier didn’t give up and kept retaliating with whatever means they had.

The brigade achieved its primary task after suffering 140 casualties, while the Chinese lost more than 1,000 soldiers.

Major Shaitan Singh was hit in the abdomen by an MMG burst. He ordered his men to stop his evacuation and directed them to join the No. 9 platoon which was still fighting. He passed away alone in the cold, still armed. Singh was later awarded Parma Vir Chakra (PVR)