Chewang Rinchen

Colonel Chewang Rinchen MVC and Bar, SM
Born	1931 Sumur, Ladakh, India
Died	1997 Leh, Ladakh, India
Allegiance	India
Service/branch	Indian Army
Years of service	1948–1984
Rank	Colonel
Unit	Nubra Guard (1948–?) Ladakh Scouts (1971–1984)
Battles/wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 India-China War Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards	Sena Medal Maha Vir Chakra

Colonel Chewang Rinchen MVC and Bar, SM was an officer in the Indian Army from the Ladakh region of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.^[1]

Rinchen joined the Nubra Guard in 1948^[2] and served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 alongside Indian Army units. Fighting in the Nubra Valley, he was promoted through the ranks and was awarded a Mahavir Chakra for bravery.

Rinchen also served in the 1962 India-China War, where he was awarded a Sena Medal. In the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Rinchen, now a Major in the Ladakh Scouts led the capture of the Chalunka complex of the Pakistani Army and the strategic outpost of Turtuk.^[3]^[4] For these actions, he was awarded a bar to his MVC, being one of only six Indian soldiers so honoured.

Rinchen retired as a full Colonel in 1984. He was appointed honorary Colonel of the Ladakh Scouts. The Indian Army has named an army shopping complex after him in Leh.^[5]

Maha Vir Chakra

The citation for the first Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

Gazette Notification: 9 Pres/52,26.1.52
Operation: 1947 Indo Pak Kashmir War Date of Award: 01 Jul 1948

Citation: As a young lad of 17 Chewang Rinchen* enrolled himself in the Ladakh Guards on 25 July 1948. With hardly a week’s training he organised and trained a local militia unit of 28 youths. In September, operating alongside Indian Army units, he fought in the Nubra Valley. His grim defence of a position on the Kharu Nullah earned him promotion to the rank of Jemadar (Naib Subedar). In the same month, negotiating a 17,000 feet high snow clad pass under most trying conditions, he helped the capture of Lama House, a vital enemy stronghold.

On 15 December, having marched for three days over high snowdrifts, he put in a fierce attack on a high hill feature near Biagdangdo and captured it. This action was immediately followed by his capture of Tukkar Hill, the last enemy position in Leh tehsil. This last action involved crossing over snow clad hills 21,000 feet high. Half of his platoon was suffering from frostbite. But under his inspiring leadership and following his example of personal bravery, his men had accomplished a seemingly impossible feat. He was then promoted Subedar. In these actions, Subedar Chewang Rinchen displayed personal bravery, resourcefulness, leadership and dedication of duty of a high order.

Note: The original citation is not available. This write-up is based on the contents of a book 'Hero and Their Deeds'.^[6]

The citation for the second Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

Gazette Notification: 22 Pres/72,12-2-72
Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily Date of Award: 08 Dec 1971

Citation: Major Chewang Rinchen of Ladakh Scouts was commander of the force assigned the task of capturing the Chalunka complex of enemy defences in the Partappur Sector. Each of these nine enemy strong points were held by one to two platoons and fortified with mines and wire obstacles. This operation was planned and executed with professional competence and great zeal. Under most adverse weather conditions, Major Rinchen led his command, displaying aggressive spirit and cool courage, fighting from bunker to bunker, exhorting and encouraging his men to destroy the enemy, making the operation a complete success.

In this action, Major Chewang Rinchen displayed inspiring leadership, indomitable courage, initiative and exceptional devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.^[7]

Personal life

Chewang Rinchen married Lady Shema Choskit Dolma of Leh Khangsar. His younger brother P. Namgyal is a former Union Minister and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha).^[8]

References

External links

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