Published:
December 21, 2024
The Bum La Pass is a border pass between China's Tsona County in Tibet and India's Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh. The pass currently serves as a trading point between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet. It is also an agreed Border Personnel Meeting point for the security forces of China and India.
An old traders’ road went from Tawang via Milakatong La Pass ("La" in the Tibetan Language means "pass") to Bum La Pass and finally to Tsona Dzong in Tibet.
The Battle of Bum La Pass was fought on 23 October 1962 between Indian forces led by
Subedar Joginder Singh and the Chinese. A Platoon of Sikhs under Sub Joginder Singh
held off multiple attacks from a Regiment of Chinese troops and delayed their advance to
Tawang. As the third wave of Chinese troops advanced, Singh manned a machine gun
and ordered his remaining soldiers to fix bayonets catching the Chinese by surprise. It is
believed that Joginder Singh single-handedly killed 56 soldiers. He was taken into
Chinese captivity where he would later die. He was posthumously awarded the Nation’s
highest honour, the Param Vir Chakra - the only such award in the Eastern Sector.
Note: Since Bum La is situated at an altitude ranging from 15000-16000 feet above sea level, tourists are advised to follow the acclimatization process. Please refer to the PDF attached in the important links section.
Tezpur → Bhalukpong ( 53 Km) → Bomdila (141 Km) → Nyukmadung (212 Km) → Tawang (314 Km) → Bum La (350 Km) Destination
