Kahlon (2/Lt then) reached the Battalion HQ at Bridge I on Namka Chu in company of a link patrol on the evening of 16 October 1962. As generally happens in the Army so often, having just returned from the D&M course was appointed the IO (Intelligence Officer) of the Battalion.
The battalion at Bridge 1 was deployed with Major Balbir's company across the river, the reason being that the Battalion HQ and the two companies could not housed in the area of the river at the bridge site. The river was no more than a rivulet with a few logs thrown across. Of the other two companies one was at Dorkung Samba and the other at Serkhim at the bottom of Hatungla pass, both directly under the Div HQ. The Battalion HQ occupied the only Chauri Hut in the area, because it gave protection from the elements. All the six or seven officers, including the Commanding officer were loacted in the hut.
Gen Kahlon narates:
The whole battalion was huddled behind boulders in a small area, I wonder if any one was beyond 200 yards. We were at the lowest point of the valley with hand built Sangars as our only protection from the enemy and the elements. Thagla rose Phoenix like, steep and tall just across the river. Was it the PM's instructions that Indian Army should occupy the forward most inch of Indian soil, that had forced the commanders to sit in such a hopeless defensive posture or what. No Army School talked about such defensive position. What then forced us in such a self defeating position? With hindsight no one from political hierarchy to commanders on the ground took the Chinese that seriously. Hindi Cheeni Bhai Bhai was too seriously imbedded in our psyche. (Years later our PM's Lahore Yatra had similarly contributed to the Kargil fiasco.)
The only support weapons of battalion 3inch Mortars were almost non existent. Though our boys had carried four tubes all the way, we had no bombs. One Arty OP party had come in possibly the same morning. However with half the 17 Para field guns dropped to support the Brigade having been lost during the para drop, there was no Artillery support available. So far as the communication was concerned, one telephone line ran along the river (Nullah) as an omnibus circuit when the phone ran it took us good 5 minutes to sort out who was calling whom. (Possibly he was referring to the lateral line to 9 Punjab. Many unconventional things were happening the Punjabis and the Grenadiers had 'Teed' in to the line running from the Brigade exchange to the Div TAC HQ in a clandestine manner. A fact that came to light only on the 20th October, when the Chinese launched their attack). Oblivious of all these snags I was happy to be home with the Paltan and spent the my day in going from Sanghar to Sanghar meeting officers and men and running errands for Maj Oscar Thomas, our Adjutant. Bridge I was closest to the Hatungla Pass over which crossed the old trade track. Next to us on the left were the Punjabis.
Lunch in the Brigade HQ
The very next day that is on the 18th I was summoned, along the IO's of the other Battalions by the Brigade Major. "Come for a conference at the HQ, tomorrow morning at 10 O' clock. You guys are talking about so much Chinese movement opposite you. Let us take stock". I called 2 Lt Naveen Kohli, a course junior to me, and the IO of the Punjab Bn to guide me since I was new. We agreed to walk up together to the Brigade HQ, Naveen told me that he was not from an affluent family. Since his commissioning he was stuck here in NEFA and had seen no life though he had ended up saving some money. "On 10th October during the Tseng Jong operations undertaken by the battalion I saw six foot tall Khalsas drop like bananas with a bullet through them and realised how fragile a man is".
Naveen awarded VrC posthumously
Two youngsters in early twenties discussing life! As Naveen continued, he became philosophical, Now I believe that one should live life for the day one is alive, who knows if there is going to be a tomorrow. I am expecting to proceed on casual leave, this time I have decided to enjoy life. Little did he know that the sands of his life were running fast with just a couple of day's worth of particles left in the glass to flow down. Sadly, his small wish to ejoy life remained unfulfilled. 2 Lt Naveen died during the withdrawal on the 21 of October, 1962 and was awarded VrC posthumously.
Brig Lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)
Photographs: Courtesy Praveen
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