Battle of Turtuk

The village of Turtuk is situated in a strategically important location, as it lies in the immediate vicinity of the Line of Control, which separates it from Pakistani-administered Gilgit-Baltistan to its north. It is also in relatively close proximity to the Line of Actual Control in the east, which separates Indian-administered Ladakh from the Chinese-occupied territory of Aksai Chin. The area is extremely inhospitable and the land is rugged, with deep narrow gorges and ravines. The climate is dry and cold with temperatures falling to . == Preliminary formations ==

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 battle==

While approaching the LoC from the side of Diskit in Ladakh along the Indus River, the sector has the following features in the south-to-north sequence: Bogdang, Chalunka (Chulunkha), Pt 18,402 peak, Turtuk, Tyakshi, Tyakshi Pachathang, Thang - all of which are now in Indian control. As of 2025 the villages in the Pakistan-administered area are first Frano and then Thagmus. The Indian attack was led by the 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 (Bogdang), 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. The next day, Major Rinchen and his unit proceeded to Tyakshi and Pachethang. By that time Pakistani forces had withdrawn, so the unit faced no resistance in capturing these 2 objectives.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 India's capture of around 580 sq km of mostly mountains of Ladakh Range and Karakorum Range, Mountains ranging in height from 18,000 to 23,000 feet high and four small villages of Turtuk, Chalunkha, Thang, and Takshi were captured from Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The capture of Point 18402, the highest post ever captured, was a major strategic victory as from this point the entire Shyok valley stretching from Turtuk and Chulunkha in the East, to the Indian headquarters at Partapur and the airfield at Thoise in the west were visible and therefore exposed to attack and observation. which was more than 580 km2. ==See also==