Reorganising India’s defences:

• The lull following Phase One was utilised by the Indian Army to reorganise its defences. 
• The 3 Infantry Division was raised at Leh on October 26, 1962 under Major General Budh Singh. 
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• The HQ of 114 Infantry Brigade was moved to Chushul, the 70 Infantry Brigade took over the responsibility of Indus Valley Sub Sector, and the I63 Infantry Brigade was inducted for the Defence of Leh.

Chinese plan of attack:

The plan duly approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC) envisaged capturing both Rezang La and Gurung Hill simultaneously. 

All these units had been in action during Phase One as well. As per instructions from the CMC, operations were to be confined to the positions on the ridge line only. 

Battle of Rezang La:

The C Company of 13 Kumaon, responsible for the defence of Rezang La.

The Chinese, having carried out detailed reconnaissance of Rezang La, planned to outflank the position at night and attack simultaneously from the northern and southern directions at first light.

• A fierce battle ensued, with the defender beating back successive Chinese attacks. 
• With communication snapped and the position encircled, leaving no possibility of the C Company being reinforced, it was “do and die” situation.
• Major Shaitan Singh, the Company Commander, even launched a local counterattack. 
• Finally, by employing reserves, the Chinese did manage to break through and Rezang La fell by 10 pm November 18.
• It was an epic battle, literally fought to the “last man, last round”. 
• Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. 

Battle for Gurung Hill:

Gurung Hill was held by two companies of 1/8 GR located northeast at Spanggur Gap.

It was held by a company minus a platoon. The defences were well coordinated and covered by a protective minefield. 

The task to capture Gurung Hill was assigned to Ali Detachment, the holding formation.

• The operation to capture Gurung Hill began on November 18, coordinated with the attack on Rezang La. 
• In the face of stiff resistance from Gorkhas with tanks in a direct shooting role, the Chinese suffered heavy casualties and the attack was stalled.
• On regrouping and reinforcements joining in, the PLA resumed the offensive again after a brief interval.
• The position was captured by PLA towards last light on November 18. The PLA could not capture the remaining part of Gurung Hill.

August 2020: the present

The course of history was set to reverse 58 years later when on August 30, 2020, the Special Frontier Force (SFF) troops secured Kailash Ridge as a pre-emptive operation.

This action proved a game-changer, neutralising gains made by the Chinese along the northern bank of Pangong Tso and rendering PLA positions east of Spanggur Gap-Maldo Garrison totally vulnerable.

The Kailash Ridge:

In 1962, it was on the Kailash Ridge that Indian soldiers proved their mettle and made the PLA pay a heavy price, despite being poorly equipped and ill-prepared. 

• Today, given a rich experience in high altitude-cum-glacial warfare, coupled with vastly improved equipment and infrastructure, the Indian Army is well positioned to hold the Kailash Range for good.
• The Chinese, on the other hand, are beginning to realise the harsh realities of winters at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Probable reason of recent disengagement of PLA in this area:

Aware of the inability to regain Kailash Ridge with the current force level, and with the window for launching major operations already foreclosed due to the onset of winter, the Chinese may use all ploys to negotiate the Indian Army’s pull-back from south of Pangong Tso.

• India should be wary of past mistakes and avoid falling into the Chinese trap. 
• The PLA’s current aggression, wherein it flouted a series of agreements signed between the countries over last three decades to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC, is a case in point.

Conclusion:

The Kailash Ridge marks a tryst with history, a turning point, as it is the first piece of territory that has been recovered from Chinese illegal occupation, but definitely not the last one as India’s claim line is the Johnson Line of 1865.

 India was being tested in the seven-month-long standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. Therefore, it is time to convey a stern message to the Chinese leadership that India will not compromise on its sovereignty.

Source: Indian Express