Pangong Lake, meaning "high grassland lake" in Tibetan, is known for its mesmerizing color changes from blue to green and red. Surrounded by Tibetan Buddhist culture and the Changpa nomads' traditional lifestyle, the lake lies near the India-China border, requiring permits for visitors due to its strategic significance.
Note: Since Pangong TSO is situated at an altitude of approximately 14,200 feet above sea level, tourists are advised to follow the acclimatization process. Please refer to the PDF attached in the important links section.
The Battle of Pangong Tso during the 1962 Sino-Indian War was a fierce confrontation in the rugged, high-altitude terrain of Ladakh. The Indian Army’s 1/8 Gorkha Rifles (GR) was tasked with defending critical positions on both the Northern and Southern banks of the pristine yet strategically vital Pangong Tso Lake. On the Northern bank, the Sirijap Complex, at elevations of 4000m and 4400m, was isolated and reliant on boat supplies across the lake, with no land connectivity to the battalion. On the Southern bank, another company of 1/8 GR manned three posts. The rest of the battalion defended the Spangur Gap, with posts on Gurung Hill and Magar Hill, forming a defensive arc against Chinese advances. The battle began with a coordinated Chinese assault. The defenders at the Sirijap Complex fought heroically, holding their positions despite relentless artillery and infantry attacks. On the Southern bank, Indian troops at Gurung and Magar Hills faced similar ferocity, with the post in the Spangur Gap bearing the brunt of the offensive. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Indian soldiers resisted valiantly, inflicting heavy casualties.
CITATION
Major Dhan Singh Thapa
1/8 GORKHA RIFLES (IC-7990)
Major Dhan Singh Thapa was in command of a forward post in Ladakh. On 20 October it was attacked by the Chinese in overwhelming strength after being subjected to intensive artillery and mortar bombardment. Under his gallant command, the greatly outnumbered post repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the aggressors. The enemy attacked again in greater numbers after heavy shelling by artillery and mortar fire. Under the leadership of Major Thapa, his men repulsed this attack also with heavy losses to the enemy.
The Chinese attacked for the third time, now with tanks to support the infantry. The post had already suffered large numbers of casualties in the earlier two attacks. Though considerably reduced in number it held out to the last. When it was finally overrun by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, Major Thapa got out of his trench and killed several of the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting before he was finally overpowered by Chinese soldiers.
Major Thapa’s cool courage, conspicuous fighting qualities and leadership were in the highest traditions of our Army.
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (Leh) → Karu → Chang La Pass → Pangong Lake → Back to Leh
