‘Saddle-Borne Warriors’ to ride to Himalayan pass in memory of fallen Assam Rifles soldiers

GUWAHATI

The Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps is organising ‘Saddle-Borne Warriors’, a seven-day motorcycle rally, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of four Assam Rifles personnel near a Himalayan pass on the Tibetan border in 1975.

The rally, covering more than 320 km from north-central Assam’s Missamari Cantonment to Tulung La in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district, entails riding at elevations beyond 15,000 feet above the mean sea level.

Missamari is near Tezpur, the headquarters of the Gajraj Corps. The rally is scheduled from October 26 to November 1.

“This rally is dedicated to the courage, discipline, and patriotism of Indian soldiers. The initiative aims to keep alive the memory of their supreme sacrifices while inspiring the younger generation with a sense of duty and national pride,” Lt. Col. Mahendra Rawat, the Guwahati-based Defence Ministry spokesperson, said.

The event marks the death of four soldiers of the 5 Assam Rifles after Chinese soldiers ambushed a patrol and fired at them on October 20, 1975. The incident took place within Indian territory at 17,250 ft, although China claimed the Indian troops had crossed over.

The riders, comprising Army and Assam Rifles personnel, will traverse through Bhalukpong, Tenga, Bomdila, Sela, Jaswantgarh, Mago, Tulung La, Damteng, Tawang, and Jung before returning to Missamari.

At every stage of the journey, participants will pay homage at war memorials along the route, honouring the courage and sacrifice of India’s fallen heroes, Lt. Col. Rawat said.