Here they fought the epic battle of Walong...
By Kartik Lokhande The sentinel hills, that round us stand; Bear witness that, we loved our land; Amidst shattered rock, and flaming pine; We fought and died on Namti Plain; O’ Lohit, gently by us glide; Pale stars above softly shine; As we sleep here, in Sun and rain. Thus reads a plaque with epitaph, titled ‘Asleep in the Mishmi Hills’ and composed by Bernard S Dougal, just close to the bank of river Lohit and Walong advanced landing ground. It actually sums up the heroic battle of Walong during the Chinese aggression of 1962. Popularly known as ‘Battle of Walong’ was fought in Walong Sector of the then North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). In 1962, as is known, non-acclimatised Indian soldiers fought valiantly to protect their motherland from the Chinese aggression following ill-conceived and politically motivated ‘Forward Policy’. Of course, India paid a heavy price for that. Still, there were bright spots of unmatched valour of devoted soldiers. And, among these, Walong ...