The Battle at Chaku, NEFA (Now Arunachal Pradesh) -1962.

The Battle of Chaku,NEFA

(Now Arunachal Pradesh): 

The Last Stand of 6/8 Gorkha Rifles November 1962

A Tribute to my Father 

Late Major Jeet Singh Negi 🙏

Jai Maa Kali Aiyo Gurkhali 

Strategic Background

The 1962 Sino-Indian War erupted over territorial disputes in Aksai Chin and NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh).

In the Eastern Theatre, China launched a massive offensive along the Kameng Sector of NEFA.

The Indian Army, under-prepared and under-equipped, was forced into a fighting withdrawal from positions in Se La, Dirang Dzong, and Bomdi La.

Location of Chaku / NEFA/ 

Arunachal Pradesh 

Chaku is a strategic position south of Bomdi La on the mountain road to Rupa and the plains.

It served as a natural delaying point during the retreat of Indian forces.

The surrounding heights dominate the road, making it a tactically critical fallback position.

Mission Assigned

On 19th November 1962, the 6th Battalion of the 8th Gorkha Rifles (6/8 GR) was ordered to:

Occupy & Set up hasty defences at Chaku.

Delay the Chinese advance.

Buy time for the 48 Infantry Brigade to withdraw from Bomdi La.

Challenges on Arrival

6/8 GR had to march long distances in difficult terrain without mechanical transport.

Arrived at Chaku late on 19 November, well after last light.

No entrenching tools had arrived; soldiers began digging with mess tins and bayonets.

The unit was exhausted, under-supplied, and facing an imminent attack.

Chinese Assault: 20th November 1962

At 2:45 a.m., the Chinese PLA launched a coordinated assault with:

Medium Machine Guns (MMGs)

Mortars

Infantry from surrounding high ground

The Battalion HQ and Mortar Platoon were overrun within 30 minutes.

Personnel from HQ fell back on B and C Companies, which continued to hold their positions.

Major Jeet Singh Negi & C Company

C Company was deployed on a vulnerable flank.

Commanded by Major Jeet Singh Negi, an inspiring officer of 6/8 GR.

Despite immense pressure, C Company:

Held off repeated attacks from numerically superior PLA troops.

Inflicted significant casualties on the enemy.

Major Negi personally led the defence, inspiring his men with exceptional bravery.

Order to Withdraw

At 4:15 a.m., the Commanding Officer assessed that:

Daylight would expose positions to complete PLA dominance.

Holding out would lead to total annihilation.

The CO ordered:

Evacuation of casualties to nearby nullahs.

Withdrawal in Company/Platoon groups.

By then, approximately a full Chinese Brigade had encircled the area.

Major Jeet Singh Negi’s Sacrifice

Major J.S.Negi remained with his men to cover the withdrawal.

He continued resisting until he was killed in action.

His actions:

Delayed the PLA advance

Enabled the successful withdrawal of much of the 48 Infantry Brigade

Prevented deeper enemy penetration into Indian territory

Aftermath-

On 21 November, China declared a unilateral ceasefire & retreated to the Mc Mahon Line.

Survivors of 6/8 GR regrouped at Misamari on 22 and 23 November 1962.

The PLA did not advance beyond Chaku, marking it as the last effective line of Indian Defence in the Eastern Sector. If Chaku had fallen then Tezpur would have been next and the entire North East would have been vulnerable. 

Legacy of the Battle of Chaku

Chaku was not a conventional battlefield victory...

A moral and tactical success:

It preserved the integrity of withdrawing Indian forces.

It denied the Chinese further psychological and territorial gains.

It showcased the valour, grit, and sacrifice of Indian soldiers in the face of overwhelming odds.

Regimental Honor – Major Jeet Singh Negi

Citation – Indian Army Headquarters

“Late Major Jeet Singh Negi who led the battle at the C Company location was killed in action at Chaku. He led his men from the front and ensured that his Company remained solidly deployed, brunting the unending attacking waves of Chinese so that the move back of the 48th Infantry Brigade went on unhindered.”

Conclusion

The Battle of Chaku was the final defensive stand of the Indian Army in the Eastern Theatre of the 1962 war. Though lesser known, it remains a powerful testament to the courage of units like the 6/8 Gorkha Rifles and officers like Major Jeet Singh Negi.

His leadership, sacrifice, and indomitable will exemplify the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Lest We Forget

“In the snow-covered heights of Chaku, amid gunfire and sacrifice, an officer stood with his men—till his last breath. We remember Major Jeet Singh Negi and we remember Chaku— not as a retreat, but as - Nation, Honour, Pride, Strength.”

© Rohit Singh Negi