Being a border village, Chushul has had a rich history involvement in engagements and conflicts between India and China.
1842: Dogra–Tibetan war In August 1842 the concluding battle of the
Dogra–Tibetan war with subsequent signing of the
Treaty of Chushul in September 1842 for border non-proliferation took place at Chushul.
1947–1948: Indo-Pakistani War During the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, an airstrip was built at
Leh and a motorable road was constructed up to
Kargil. From Kargil onwards into Ladakh, only animal transport was possible.
1951: Chinese annexation of Tibet In 1951, soon after the
Chinese annexation of Tibet, a situation developed near Chushul with a brigade of
Kazakh troops from Chinese Central Asia trying to flee via Rudok, and the Chinese
PLA pursuing them. Indian intelligence detected the movements in advance, and arrangements were made to rush a company of Indian troops from
Pattan to Chushul, traveling by road and animal transport. The Kazakhs fled through the Spanggur Valley and set up defensive posts 3 km east of the then prevailing border (India's claim line). Fighting erupted between them and the PLA troops pursuing them. After discussion, Indian prime minister
Jawaharlal Nehru agreed to grant asylum to the fleeing Kazakhs, and they were admitted into India. Indian troops stood their ground and confronted the PLA troops, who eventually withdrew. After the incident, it was decided to lay an
airstrip near Chushul for defensive deployments. An initial location was selected east of
Spanggur Gap in territory currently under Chinese control. However, it was considered unsuitable and a second location was selected within the Tsaka Chu valley, opposite the Spanggur Gap. The airstrip was completed by August 1952. Jawaharlal Nehru along with colleagues took the first flight into it and inaugurated it. Until this time, the Chushul airstrip was the only means available for logistics.
Dakotas and
Ilyushin Il-14 planes from No.
12,
42 and 43 squadrons of Indian Air Force made logistical supply flights to Chushul. The Army asked for six
AMX-13 tanks to be airlifted for defence of Chushul.
AN-12 transport airplanes were used for the purpose, after making elaborate arrangements for the transport of delicate but heavy equipment, and they were eventually delivered on 25 and 26 October 1962. During the 1962
Sino-Indian War, the 114 Infantry Brigade was headquartered at Chushul, and it had the control of all the forward deployments from
Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) in the north to
Demchok in the south. The units involved were 14 J&K Militia in the DBO sector, 5 Jat in the Galwan and Changchenmo sector, 1/8 Gorkha Rifles in the Chushul sector (holding Spanggur Gap and the surrounding areas), 13 Kumaon holding features to the south of Spanggur Gab and 1 J&K Militia holding the rest of the areas up to Demchok. The Ahir regiment of 13 Kumaon stationed at the
Rezang La pass (as it was then called) fought the famous last stand battle.
Present day: Border Personnel Meeting point Chushul
Border Personnel Meeting point (BOP), also called the
Moldo-Spanggur BOP, is one of the five officially agreed BOPs between the
Indian Army and the
People's Liberation Army of
China for regular consultations and interactions between the two armies to improve relations. Location of respective military posts nearest to the Chushul BOP are: •
Moldo () post of the
Indian Army, coordinate: • Spanggur () post of the
People's Liberation Army of
China, coordinate: The 315 Field Workshop Company is being established over an area of at Chushul to support the deployment of 142 Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army. Additionally, the Brigade Headquarters of the same brigade formation has been cleared for construction over a land of . ==Demography==