Bust of ‘Saviour of Ladakh’ Col Khushal Chand unveiled at 9 Dogra, Gwalior

Shimla, January 29

A bust of Col Khushal Chand, Maha Vir Chakra awardee, known as one of the saviours of Ladakh in the 1947-48 war with Pakistan, was unveiled in the Battalion HQs Guard of 9 Dogra at Gwalior as part of its platinum jubilee celebrations

Col Kushal Chand hailed from Lahaul and Spiti and was the fourth kipper of 9th Battalion of Dogra Regiment in 1948. He as a Major, along with another officer, volunteered to go to Leh to help raise a local militia force and conduct the defence of the Ladakh valley in 1948. He is known for his significant role in stalling the progress of Pakistan forces into Ladakh during the 1947-48 war. For his role in the war, he is regarded among the ‘Saviours of Ladakh’, along with Thakur Prithi Chand, Bhim Chand and Chewang Rinchen.

It is due to his endeavour along with one platoon of the Jammu and Kashmir State Force and about 20 local militia that delay the advance of the enemy towards Leh along the Indus valley. Major Kushal Chand conducted guerrilla warfare of a skillful nature, giving the impression to the enemy that he had many more men than he actually had. He held the Khaltsi bridge for 24 hours only with one sepoy, who kept firing on the opposite bank.