By Lt Col BM Thapa (Retd)
Dehradun, 24 Dec: During my 30 years of service in the Corps of Engineers with effect from from June 1963, I got the golden opportunity to be a paratrooper and para instructor (PJI). So, during 1974-76, I was posted to Leh where I had the golden opportunity to meet the great hero of Leh- Ladakh, Col Chhewang Rinchen MVC and BAR. This is a saga of courage and heroism of a highly decorated officer of the Indian Army from the union territory of Ladakh.
Col Chhewang Rinchen, who hailed from village Sumur situated in the Nubra valley, was born on 11 November, 1931. His mother was known as the mother of Nubra Valley for her compassion. Rinchen was educated in Sumur by a Ladakhi Christian Missionary named Stanzin. At the age of 13, he attracted the attention of Kalon (Duke) of Ladakh who took him to Leh for secondary education.
Four years later, the first Kashmir war started, placing Ladakh in grave jeopardy from raiders from Gilgit-Baltistan.
Rinchen joined the Nubra Guards in 1948 and served in the Indo Pakistan War of 1947 alongside Indian Army units. He was trained by Honorary Captain Bhim Chand, VrC and Bar, of Lahaul. For his role in the war Chewang Rinchen is regarded among the saviours of Ladakh, alongside Bhim Chand, Colonel Thakur Prithvi Chand, MVC, and Lt Colonel Kushal Chand, MVC. While fighting in the Nubra Valley, Rinchen was promoted from the ranks.
He joined the 7 J&K Militia (Ladakhis).
In recognition of his services during the 1947-48 operations, he was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, becoming the youngest MVC awardee of the Indian Army. In 1962, operating at the height of 17,174 feet at DBO, he got the airfield completed in record time. For this, he was awarded the Sena Medal for his exceptional gallantry while rescuing a patrol near Chandni Post.
During 1971, Major Rinchen assumed command of the DHAL Force to launch an assault on Baltistan. He adopted Gorilla tactics, captured ‘V’ piquet and point 18402 in 10 days. This was followed by capture of Oldi Post and villages Turtok and Thand in one bold sweep. In recognition of his gallantry, Colonel Rinchen was awarded a bar to his MVC.
He was also Mentioned in Dispatches for his gallant leadership in the Indo Pak War of 1965.
Col Rinchen was promoted to the substantive rank of Major on 6 February, 1978, and retired from active service on 1 May, 1980, when he was transferred to the reserves. On 1 October, 1983, he was reemployed and assigned to command to 246 Transit Camp with local rank of Lt Colonel while serving with J&K Rifles and finally retired as a full colonel in 1984.
The exploits of Col Rinchen have already become part of the local folklore and will continue to inspire the local youth to emulate his feats of indomitable courage and bravery. A post in the Siachen Glacier has quite aptly been named after him as “Rinchen Post”.
Col Rinchen breathed his last on 30 June, 1997. As a token of tribute to the valiant son of Ladakh, the erstwhile Corps lecture hall was redesignated as Rinchen Auditorium on 30 May, 2008.
The main crossing of Leh Cantt Road near the Airport has been designated as Rinchen Chowk in memory of Col Chhewang Rinchen.
The Indian Army has also developed a “Rinchen Shopping Complex”.
On 21 October, 2019, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the “Colonel Chhewang Rinchen Setu”, India’s highest altitude all weather permanent bridge in Eastern Ladakh just 45 kilometres from the border with China. The 1400 feet long bridge on Shyok River at 1465 feet is strategically located on Darbuk-Shyok-DBO road between Leh and Karakoram Pass.
