China - India Face Off Is Nothing New: Remembering The Chola Incident (1967)
The Chinese have intruded into Indian territory in Ladakh.As per reports and mentioned by Arnab Goswami in his Indian Times Channel, the Chinese are inside Indian territory to the tune of 19kms.This is not a small distance and the Indian government led by the ineffectual and weak ManMohan Singh is quiet, keeping all observors guessing as to why it is not reacting to the Chinese intrusion.Frankly there is nothing to be alarmed as the Chola incident in 1967 showed.
The Chola incident is important as the Chinese at that time intruded many miles into Sikkim, which then was a protectorate of India.Later it became a part of India.India was responsible for the defense of Sikkim and the 7th Indian division under the hardy General Sagat Singh faced the Chinese.
A meeting was convened at Army HQ and the local commander was ordered to throw the Chinese out.This had the approval of Indira Gandhi.Orders reached General Sagat Singh who with loud speakers requested the Chinese troops to vacate the occupied territory.The Chinese had also brought in heavy artillery.
General Sagat Singh realized that it was important to silence the Chinese guns.As the Chinese did not vacate, the Indian gunners opened up at 6 am in the morning.The Chinese who were ready fired back.It was a tremendous artillery duel.But within 4 hours of the battle the superior Indian gunnery began to take effect as one by by one the Chinese lost guns and crew.They suffered heavy causalities.The battle continued all day and by evening the entire area of Chola was covered with dense smoke, reducing visibility to zero.
The Chinese now began to draw back and by nightfall vacated teh entire occupied area.the Chinese had suffered many killed and the People Army realized that another 1962 was not possible.By next day when the smoke cleared the Chinese had left and Indian guns also stopped their fire.this incident is a telling reminder that the only language the Chinese understand is naked strength.After all Mao said " political power comes out of the barrel of a gun".
Thus there is a need for firm handling of the present Chinese intrusion in Ladakh.The Congress mired in corruption seems unable to lead and Sardar ManMohan Singh will stand dammed before history as a feeble leader who reduced India to a second rate power.