Chola incident

Chola incident
The 1967 Sino-Indian skirmish occurred between the two Asian giants, China and India.
Date 1 October — 2 October 1967 Location Chola, Sikkim Result Bilateral ceasefire.
Belligerents
China	India
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	K.B. Joshi
Casualties and losses
10 killed 9 wounded	4 killed

The 1967 Sino-Indian skirmish also known as the Chola incident, was a day-long military conflict between Indian troops and members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Sikkim, who had infiltrated the area. The end of the battle saw the People's Liberation Army leave Sikkim.

Location

The skirmish occurred in Sikkim, which later became a state of India in 1975. India was responsible for the defense of Sikkim which was a protectorate at that time. The region is one of high altitudes and thus mountainous maneuvers were crucial in battle. Early Chinese positions in regions of higher altitudes would thus have provided them with an advantage. To reclaim high ground would generally require a higher ratio of attackers to defenders.

Background

Main articles: Sino-Indian relations, McMahon Line, and Sino-Indian War

China has claimed that the McMahon Line created by Britain in NEFA was illegal. China eventually recognized Sikkim as an Indian state in 2003, on the condition that India accepted Tibet Autonomous Region as a part of China. This mutual agreement led to a thaw in Sino-Indian relations. New Delhi accepted Tibet as a part of China in 1953 during the government of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

See also

• Sino-Indian war
• 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish