Assam Rifles honours 1962 Sino-Indian War heroes with battlefield visits, veteran outreach
Synopsis
More than six decades after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Assam Rifles is bringing history home — taking the family of Vir Chakra awardee Lt Col P.A. Rege to the very battlefields he defended, while honouring surviving veterans in their home villages across India.
Key Takeaways
Assam Rifles organised commemorative activities on 11 May 2025 to honour soldiers of the 1962 Sino-Indian War .
11 Assam Rifles defended the Along–Manigong Sector in Arunachal Pradesh during fierce battles at Henkar, Lamang, and Tadadege.
Rege was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry at Henkar Post; his son Hemant Rege visited the historic battlefields.
Living veterans Hav Jupal Singh (Retd) and Sub D.S.
Rawat (Retd) were honoured in Pauri Garhwal and Dehradun respectively.
An Assam Regiment Ex-Servicemen Meet at Khuga, Churachandpur drew 102 veterans from across Manipur.
Assam Rifles organised a series of commemorative outreach activities on 11 May 2025 to honour the soldiers of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, paying tribute to their supreme sacrifice while fostering historical awareness among the local populace and younger generations in the region.
Battlefield Legacy in Arunachal Pradesh
According to a defence spokesman, 11 Assam Rifles was deployed during the conflict in the Along–Manigong Sector of West Siang and Shi Yomi districts in Arunachal Pradesh to defend the eastern frontier against advancing Chinese forces. Despite inhospitable terrain, harsh weather conditions, and overwhelming enemy strength, the troops displayed extraordinary courage during fierce battles at Henkar, Lamang, Tadadege, and adjoining areas.
Among the most decorated officers of that campaign was Lt Col P.A. Rege, who demonstrated exceptional bravery and leadership while commanding troops at Henkar Post. Leading from the front against repeated enemy assaults, he motivated his men to hold their ground and inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. For his conspicuous gallantry, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, one of India's highest wartime military honours.
Family Members Visit Historic Battlefields
As part of this commemorative initiative, family members of the late officer — including his son Hemant Rege — undertook a visit to the historic battlefields of Along, Manigong, and Tadadege. The visit was intended to connect the next generation with the sacrifices made over six decades ago on those remote frontiers.
Living Veterans Honoured Across India
In a simultaneous effort to acknowledge living veterans of the conflict, Assam Rifles paid tribute to Havildar Jupal Singh (Retd) at his native village in Pauri Garhwal district. One of the youngest soldiers of the war — with only one year of service at the time — he fought alongside Lt Col Rege in the Manigong and Tadadege sectors. The battalion also interacted with Subedar D.S. Rawat (Retd) in Dehradun district, another veteran who served in the Manigong sector.
Ex-Servicemen Meet in Manipur
Furthering the spirit of camaraderie and institutional support, Assam Rifles organised an Assam Regiment Ex-Servicemen Meet on Sunday at Battalion Headquarters, Khuga in Churachandpur district, Manipur. The event saw the participation of 102 ex-servicemen of the Assam Regiment from different parts of Churachandpur district. A senior official interacted with veterans to appreciate their dedicated service, with discussions centred on welfare matters, service experiences, and the importance of maintaining close ties within the veteran community. The gathering concluded with a traditional Bara Khana, strengthening bonds between serving personnel and veterans.
These initiatives reflect a continued institutional commitment to preserving the legacy of those whose sacrifices continue to inspire future generations of soldiers and citizens alike.
Point of View
Assam Rifles' decision to take a fallen officer's family to the actual battlefield is more than ceremonial — it is a deliberate act of institutional memory-keeping. The outreach to living veterans in Pauri Garhwal and Dehradun signals that the army is aware of how quickly first-hand accounts of that war are disappearing. What is less clear is whether these one-off commemorative gestures are backed by a sustained oral history or archival programme that could preserve these accounts for scholars and future soldiers. Tribute without documentation risks becoming ritual without record.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assam Rifles do to honour 1962 war heroes?
Assam Rifles organised commemorative outreach activities on 11 May 2025, including battlefield visits for the family of Vir Chakra awardee Lt Col P.A. Rege and personal tributes to living veterans in Pauri Garhwal and Dehradun. The initiative aimed to preserve the military heritage of the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
Who was Lt Col P.A. Rege and why is he significant?
Lt Col P.A. Rege commanded troops at Henkar Post during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, leading from the front against repeated enemy assaults in the Along–Manigong Sector of Arunachal Pradesh. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for his conspicuous gallantry during those battles.
Where did 11 Assam Rifles fight during the 1962 war?
11 Assam Rifles was deployed in the Along–Manigong Sector of West Siang and Shi Yomi districts in Arunachal Pradesh, defending the eastern frontier against advancing Chinese forces in battles at Henkar, Lamang, Tadadege, and adjoining areas.
What was the Assam Regiment Ex-Servicemen Meet?
It was an event organised by Assam Rifles at Battalion Headquarters, Khuga in Churachandpur district, Manipur, which saw 102 ex-servicemen participate. The meet provided a platform for veterans to reconnect with serving personnel, discuss welfare matters, and conclude with a traditional Bara Khana.
Who are the living veterans honoured during this initiative?
Havildar Jupal Singh (Retd) of Pauri Garhwal district, one of the youngest soldiers of the 1962 war with only one year of service at the time, and Subedar D.S. Rawat (Retd) of Dehradun district, both of whom fought in the Manigong sector alongside Lt Col Rege.
