A Soldier's Reflections on Command and Trust in Border Crises
On the morning of February 2, I canceled all my engagements to listen to the Union Budget discussion on Sansad TV. Instead, I found myself engrossed in a lively debate recalling the events of August 31, 2020, when four Chinese tanks, supported by infantry, advanced towards Rechin La. This discussion unexpectedly stirred two vivid memories from my years of service, one humorous and the other deeply instructive, both rooted in the raw reality of soldiering on the Indo-China border.
The Humorous Tale of Caution and Frustration
The first memory involves a joke narrated by a battalion jawan during a barakhana celebration after we won a mortar competition. It tells of a highly motivated Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) tasked with defending a crucial forward position during the Indo-Pak war. Spotting the enemy advancing from about 1,800 meters, he prepared to unleash machine-gun fire. Despite having clear rules of engagement, his caution, honed by experience, grey hair, and ambition, led him to seek permission from his Commanding Officer (CO). As the enemy inched closer, the JCO repeatedly reported their progress, but permission never arrived. When the enemy finally overran his position, a frustrated final message crackled over the radio: "Lo sir, hun tusi dushman naal gal hi kar lo." (You can now talk to the enemy himself). This anecdote underscores the delicate balance between following orders and exercising initiative in high-stakes situations.
A Personal Lesson in Leadership and Trust
The second memory is personal and dates back to the mid-1980s during the Sumdorong Chu standoff. My CO, Lt Col J.S. Sethi, had volunteered 27 Punjab for deployment when Chinese troops attempted to construct a helipad. I was posted at Negi Spur with my company, under clear instructions to repel any intrusion. One night, after checking all bunkers and returning from a long link patrol to a neighboring battalion, I was awakened at 2 a.m. by my senior JCO, Mukhtiyar. A Chinese patrol had crossed into our area, their torchlights clearly visible. I ordered that fire be opened once the lights were positively identified. Mukhtiyar informed me that we only had on-weapon ammunition and that sustained firing would require breaking the seal of first-line ammunition boxes. As a young Second Lieutenant, in an age where decisiveness often precedes deeper reflection, I authorized it. The night passed quietly, with the patrol withdrawing, perhaps realizing it had crossed over by mistake.
The following morning, Lt Col Sethi walked up to my post. He appreciated my initiative and calmly explained the sensitivities of ammunition echelons, including on-weapon, unit reserve, first-line, second-line, war-wastage reserve, and the standard operating procedures governing their use. More importantly, he stood firmly by his officer, assuming full responsibility himself. That quiet display of trust, judgment, and moral courage left a lasting imprint on me. It reinforced that while weapons, terrain, and technology are vital, so too are leadership, clarity of intent, and the confidence shared between commanders and their men. Some lessons, learned under torchlight on a cold ridge, remain with a soldier for life, shaping their approach to command and crisis management.
