Turtuk is a strategically important location as immediately to its north lie the Northern Areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and to the east lies the Aksai Chin/Karakoram frontier with China. The area is extremely inhospitable, the land is rugged, with deep narrow gorges and ravines. The climate is dry and cold with temperatures falling to minus 25 degrees centigrade. The Turtuk sector covers the entire Shyok river valley. In 1971, the sector came under the operational responsibility of the 3 Division of the Indian Army, based in Leh and commanded by Maj Gen S.P. Malhotra. The Indian base of operations was located in the Nubra valley, also known as Partapur sector. The sector was connected to Leh via a single lane road over the Khardung La pass, which at 17,582 ft is the highest motorable pass in the world.
Preliminaries
The Indian sector commander was Col Udai Singh who commanded a force of 5 companies of the Ladakh Scouts, of which 2 were committed to defending the Chinese border. In order to enable the 3 available companies for offensive action, 550 members of the local population were recruited and trained to form 4 companies of Nubra Guards. These were mainly tasked with static duties and for defensive duties. The 3 companies of Ladakh Scouts were supported by 2 platoons of the Nubra Guards, 2 sections of 81mm mortars and 2 sections of MMGs. The defending Pakistani force consisted of 1 company of Karakoram Scouts and 1-2 companies of mixed Karakoram and Gilgit Scouts. These were supported by three 75-mm guns, a section of 3.7-inch howitzers and six three-inch mortars. The Pakistani positions were well prepared with the approaches mined.
The battle
The Indian attack was led by Major Chewang Rinchen, who had earlier earned an MVC in the 1947 Pakistan War and a Sena Medal in the 1962 China war. On the first day, the force advanced to a place called Baigdangdo, driving for 40 km in jeeps and the next 40 km by foot. The next day, the unit had the option to attack the Pakistani defenses either via the steep mountainous paths or along the Shyok river. Major Chewang Rinchen decided to use the mountain paths as the approach along the Shyok river was expected to be well covered by machine gun nests as well as well mined. This would also have the benefit of taking the enemy by surprise and avoiding heavy fighting. On 8 December, the force captured a Pakistani picquet on the top of the mountain known as Pt 18402. A platoon was also tasked to silently approach the back of Pt 18,402 and take control of the Pakistani line of communication. From the top of Pt 18402, the entire valley from Turtok and Chulunkha in the East, to the Indian headquarters at Partapur and the airfield at Thoise in the west was visible. After this, Major Chewang Rinchen's unit climbed town from Pt 18402 towards the Pakistani camp on the other side. When it reached the camp, it was found to have been abandoned and a large stock of supplies and ammunition was captured. On 9 December, the Indian force while approaching the Pakistani base camp of Chulunkha defence complex and encountered heavy mortar and machine gun fire from multiple sides. The force was able to overcome the heavy firing and capture the Chulunkha defence complex. The next task was to capture Turtuk on the left bank of the Shyok river. On 14 December, the force commenced the advance to take Turtuk village attack while simultaneously commencing mortar fire on the Pakistani defences to soften them up. When the mortar fire stopped and the force entered Turtuk village, it found that the Pakistani defenders had fled the previous night. Only the menfolk of the village were still present in the village while the women and chidren were hiding in a nullah nearby, afraid of violence and attrocities by the Indian troops. Major Rinchen was able to reassure the villagers of their safety and told them "The Indian Army will help you in all respects. Bring back your womenfolk and children. They are like our mothers and sisters. I will be responsible for their safety, if there is any misbehaviour on the part of any soldier or civilian who has come with us, I shall take disciplinary action against the person who misbehaves." The next day, Major Rinchen and his unit proceeded to Tyakshi and Pachethang. By that time most of the enemy had already fled and there was no resistance in capturing these 2 objectives. On 17 December morning, the unit prepared to launch an attack on Prahnu and Piun, however on the same afternoon, the Pakistan government agreed to a ceasefire and the Indian forces were ordered to cease fire.
Result
The battle resulted in the liberation of 800 sq km from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and was the largest area in the western sector captured during the 1971 operations. The capture of Pt 18402, the highest post ever captured, was a major strategic victory as from this point the entire Shyok valley stretching from Turtok and Chulunkha in the East, to the Indian headquarters at Partapur and the airfield at Thoise in the west was visible and therefore exposed to attack and observation.
