Indian Army pays tribute to 1967 war (vs China) heroes

Source : The Times of India

Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps celebrated the Cho La Day at Sukna Military Station.

Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps celebrated the Cho La Day at Sukna Military Station on Friday to commemorate the bravery of the Indian troops who had thwarted the intrusion of Chinese troops at the Cho La pass in Sikkim in 1967.On October 1, 1967, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army attempted to intrude into the Sikkim side of the China-India border but due to the bravery of the Indian troops, the Chinese were forced to withdraw up to three kilometres beyond Cho La after sustaining significant casualties. India lost 21 brave hearts, while losses on the other side of the border were estimated to be 44 soldiers.

The incident at Cho La was preceded by heavy fighting between the Indian and Chinese armies between September 11 and 14, 1967, over the construction of an iron fence by India in the Nathu La sector to prevent Chinese intrusions. The Cho La Skirmish in October 1967 was continuation of the Nathu La standoff.

On Friday, a ceremony was held at the Trishakti War Memorial in Sukna where wreaths were laid to pay rich tributes to the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who laid down their lives on the icy heights of Cho La in the Sikkim sector from October 1 – 4 in the year 1967.

“On this solemn occasion, a wreath was also laid at Cho La War Memorial, Sikkim and personnel of the Trishakti Corps paid homage to the valiant soldiers and remembered the tales of bravery of the Indian soldiers at Cho La and Nathu La that have become legends and are a source of constant motivation for one and all,” a statement issued by the army read.

Based in Sukna, north Bengal near Siliguri, Trishakti Corps or XXXIII Corps is a corps of the Indian Army that draws some of its heritage from the British Indian XXXIII Corps which was formed in 1942, but disbanded in 1945. It was re-raised in 1960 at Shillong.

The Corps’ area of responsibility includes North Bengal, Sikkim and if needed, Bhutan. It comprises three mountain divisions, 17th (Gangtok), 20th (Binnaguri), and 27th (Kalimpong).