My letter published in Business Standard today. 1962 – THE CONTRASTS While all attention is focused only on the happenings in NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh) in 1962, not much is said about the events in Ladakh at the same time. The gutsy stand put up by the soldiers there was a silver lining to the events elsewhere. It may be noted that Ladakh then came under the Western Command, HQ at Simla (now relocated to Chandi Mandir) while NEFA was under the Eastern Command with HQ at Lucknow (?!). Eastern Command moved to Kolkatta in 1963 after Central Command was created. Northern Command came only after 1971. The nature and fury of the resistance and the manner of strategic withdrawals in Ladakh was in complete contrast to the confused scenario in NEFA. And the difference was all because of the leadership at the top. Western Command’s Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Daulet Singh, had the courage to ignore Delhi. Tragically he died in a helicopter crash on the same day as Kennedy’s assassination. Western Command won 2 PVCs, both by officers, showing grit and determination at the middle levels also. In contrast at Eastern Command – no one knew who was in charge. The Army Commander, LP Sen, was just happy to leave everything to Gen. BM Kaul and we all know that “untold” story.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 05:04:52 +0000
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