Naib Subedar Ishe Tundup MVC

Naib Subedar (Then Jemadar) Ishe Tundup hailed from Leh in Ladakh and was born on 31st Mar 1930. Son of Shri Chhering Palzor, he completed his schooling in Government Middle School in Leh and joined the army. He was recruited on 18 June 1948 at the age of 18 years into 7 J&K Militia (Presently, Ladakh Scouts). After completing his training, he served in various places with different terrain and operational conditions. By 1962, when the Indo-China war broke out, he had already put in around 15 years of service and evolved into a battle hardened and dedicated soldier.

Indo-China War (Ladakh Sector) : 27 October 1962

During the Indo-China war of 1962, Nb Sub Ishe Tundup’s unit was deployed in Ladakh, the main battle ground for the war. Though the border attacks had already started much earlier, a full-fledged war broke out between India and China on October 20, 1962 when the People’s Liberation Army of China invaded Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh (then known as the North East Frontier Agency) in a synchronized move. One such attack was carried out by the Chinese forces on 27 Oct 1962 on the Chang La post in Ladakh. At that time Nb Sub Ishe Tundup and his troops were manning the crucial post at Chang La. Chang La was a high mountain pass in Ladakh at an elevation of over 17,000 ft  between Leh and Shyok river valley. Chang La had an approach from Zingral village by a steeply climbing road and the stretch of 10–15 km road on either side of Chang la often became loose dirt and slush after the winter. The Changla Pass was the main gateway for the  Nubra region and was militarily significant too. 

On 27th Oct 1962, Nb Sub Ishe Tundup was deployed at the Chang La post and was functioning as a commander of the post. He took upon himself to repulse the attack and fought gallantly along with his comrades. Though Chinese forces were numerically superior, Nb Sub Ishe Tundup and his troops stood ground, displaying extraordinary courage and determination. However eventually Nb Sub Ishe Tundup and his men were overpowered. The post under his leadership fought to the last man until it was over-run by the Chinese attackers. In this heroic action, Nb Sub Ishe Tundup displayed exceptional gallantry and dedication to duty in the face of heavy odds. He proved to be a valiant and committed soldier, who made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Nb Sub Ishe Tundup was given the nation’s second highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra” for his exceptional courage, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads : 

On the morning of 27 October 1962, the post at Changla in Ladakh, commanded by Naib Subedar Ishe Tundup was heavily shelled and attacked by the Chinese in overwhelming numbers. The post under his leadership fought to the last man until it was over-run by the Chinese attackers and Naib Subedar Ishe Tundup was killed. Naib Subedar Ishe Tundup displayed leadership, courage and devotion to duty of a high order.