1607 words in this article

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Author | Meng Hui Hu Tu

Editor of this issue | Jiang Xinyu

Reviewer of this issue | Jiang Yi

Image source: WeChat official account "Meng Hui Hu Tu"

One, the Sikkim section of the China-India border

In the previous text, it was mentioned that Britain forced the Qing Dynasty to draw the boundary between China and Sikkim according to the watershed principle, occupying territories originally under the jurisdiction of Tibet. The Sikkim section of the China-India border runs from Jimma Zhenzhan Mountain (Zhi Mo Zhi Shan) along the watershed to the Nepal border. Our side is the boundary between Yatung County and Gangba County, while the Indian side is the defense areas of East Sikkim and North Sikkim. Our side consists of the second and third battalions of the Border Defense Yatung Regiment and the Gangba Battalion of the Dingjie Regiment; the Indian side includes three battalions of the India-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) Gantok detachment, as well as the 17th and 27th Divisions of the 33rd Army.

Image source: WeChat official account "Meng Hui Hu Tu"

The ridge line of the Sikkim section has many mountain passes forming channels. These include Duolang's Dokala, Batangla, Toga's Dongjula, Zelila, Naiduilala, Zhuola, Xiaosima Town's Jia Gongla, Basha La, Bani La, Suoguo Bi La, Tangga La (Denggaela), Kangbu Township's Quka Long Pass, Bazhala, Zhongga La, Niekang La, Aiguo La, Taxun's Kongyangmi Pass, Saicai La, Dagila, Gangba's Peilongla, Kailula, Rilala, Longmala, Changle's Ladola, Qudengnimila, etc.

Indian troops have almost occupied every pass and high point along the Jimma Zhenzhan Mountain - Basha La line, while our forces are mostly at a lower position except for a few passes such as Naiduilala and Zelila. Indian troops have built roads and outposts on several passes in the Lachong direction. On the northern Gangba front, they rely on the highlands of the Qemu Duro River basin north of the Himalayas, expanding their terrain control over us on the flat watershed and open valleys. The Lonaqu River basin is where our highest post at 5592 faces the enemy.

In 1965, there was firing at Dajishan Pass between China and India; in 1967, there were artillery battles at Naiduilala and Zhuola; in 2017, there was a standoff at Dokala in Donglang; in 2020, there was a standoff at Ladola.

Image source: WeChat official account "Meng Hui Hu Tu"

Two, the Indian Army in Sikkim

Among the three front-line armies of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, the 4th Army oversees the shortest section of the de facto line of control between China and India, the 33rd Army follows, and the 3rd Army covers the longest section.

Image source: WeChat official account "Meng Hui Hu Tu"

The Indian Army has deployed two divisions of the 33rd Army in the Sikkim direction of the China-India border. Among them, the 17th Mountain Division stationed in Gantok deploys forces towards Naiduilala and Donglang (the border of Yatung County in China), while the 27th Mountain Division stationed in Kalimpong is responsible for the area north of Tanggu (the border of Gangba County in China) and Lachong. The 20th Division is responsible for guarding the Siliguri Corridor and the southwest and northwest borders of India-Bangladesh.

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(1) 33rd Army

Also known as the Trishakti Corps, it is stationed in the Sukna subdivision of the Siliguri district in West Bengal, with coordinates 26°47'34.30" and 88°19'58.94", commanded by General Zubin Minwalla.

Image source: WeChat official account "Meng Hui Hu Tu"

- 17th Mountain Infantry Brigade

Also known as the Black Cat Division, it is stationed in Gantok. It includes the 16th Brigade, the 48th Brigade, the 63rd Brigade, and the 164th Mountain Brigade.

- 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade

Also known as the Striking Lion Division, it is stationed in Kalimpong (27° 2'28.74", 88°27'38.03"). It includes the 100th Brigade (Century Brigade), the 123rd Mountain Brigade (Plateau Warrior Brigade), the 112th Mountain Brigade (Watershed Warrior Brigade), and the 27th Mountain Artillery Brigade. The 123rd Brigade is in the Tanggu direction, and the 112th Brigade is in the Lachong direction.

- 20th Mountain Infantry Brigade

Also known as the Kirpan Division, it is stationed in Binaguri. It includes the 66th Mountain Brigade, the 165th Mountain Brigade, the 202nd Mountain Brigade, and the 20th Mountain Artillery Brigade.

- Independent 255th Armored Brigade

Mainly deployed in Tanggu, with some units also in Lachong.

- Land Air Domain Control Center

Stationed in Chakur, it has a Chetak light utility helicopter squadron.

Three, ITBP in Sikkim

- Eastern Division

The ITBP in Sikkim is under the command of the Eastern Frontier (equivalent to a division-level unit). The headquarters of the Eastern Frontier is located in Lucknow (26.840901°, 80.939903°), which includes the Gantok Detachment and the Lucknow Detachment. The former is responsible for the Sikkim section of the China-India border, while the latter is located at the India-Nepal border, and its tasks are not clear. Inspector General Sanjay Gunjyal is in charge.

- Gantok Detachment

Stationed in Gantok (27.309390°, 88.594089°), Deputy Inspector General Sunil Kumar Meena is in charge. It includes the 11th, 13th, and 48th Battalions.

The 11th Battalion in Pegong is responsible for the border between the northern part of Sikkim and Gangba County in China, as well as Chungthang to Lachen. The 13th Battalion in Lindgum, with frontline positions in Thangu and Muguthang, is responsible for the border in the northwest Lonaqu River basin. The 48th Battalion in Katihar far in the Ganges Plain is responsible for the eastern Sikkim border with Yatung County in China, including Zhuola, Naiduilala, Donglang, and the Lachung area opposite Kangbu Township. On January 7, 2025, the Director General of ITBP Rahul Rasgotra stated that Sikkim plans to add another battalion.

Image source: WeChat official account "Meng Hui Hu Tu"

This article is reprinted from an article published on the WeChat official account "Meng Hui Hu Tu" on June 27, 2025, titled "【(2) The Indian Army in Sikkim】".

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7557031447882646016/

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