The Hero Of Nathula Pass 每 Ghost Of Baba Harbhajan Singh That Guards India＊s Border

Update: Indo-China Clash At Naku La Border In Sikkim

Amid the ongoing standoff in Ladakh, India foiled an attempt by the Chinese to intrude across the border at Naku La in North Sikkim last week, as per sources. Reports said the clash took place when the troops of the People＊s Liberation Army attempted to intrude inside Indian territory.

The Indian Army troops foiled the intrusion bid and physical clashes ensued, in which soldiers from both sides were reported to be injured.

India conveyed to China at the talks that it was for Beijing to proceed with the process of disengagement and de-escalation at friction points along the LAC in Ladakh. It may be noted that nearly 100,000 Indian and Chinese troops continue to remain deployed in eastern Ladakh amid the ongoing border standoff.

Ghost Of Baba Harbhajan Singh That Guards India＊s Border

The Nathula Pass on the Indo-China border in the state of Sikkim is a strategically important location for the Indian Army. Blocked by snow in the winters, it is one of the four Border Personnel Meeting points for the Indian and Chinese armies.

What you may not know, is that the pass is guarded by the ghost of one Baba Harbhajan Singh. Late Sepoy Harbhajan Singh (23 Punjab) was born in a village in Kapurthala District and enrolled into the Punjab Regiment. Serving with his unit in Sikkim in 1968, he passed away on October 4 that year while escorting a mule column from Tuku La to Dongchui La.

He slipped and fell in a nullah and the water current carried his body two kilometers downstream. His body is said to have been found three days later and cremated with full military honours. He is said to have appeared in the dreams of his fellow soldiers and asked them to build a ＆samadhi＊ for him. His unit did so 9 km from where the present shrine stands.

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It is also widely believed that water kept at the Baba Harbhajan shrine became capable of curing ailing persons. Devotees therefore leave bottles of water in the name of ailing people and then give this blessed water to the sick.

Units of the Indian Army that are posted in the region, seek Baba＊s blessing with various plates dedicated to him lining the shrine＊s walls. They also believe that Baba will warn them of an impending attack days in advance. The Army even promoted him to an Honorary Captain and a paycheck was sent to his family. He was also granted an annual leave on 14 September every year. His belongings were packed and accompanied by soldiers, were sent to Kapurthala by train and brought back the same way. This was done annually till he was retired a few years ago.

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So revered is he, that even the Chinese on the other side of the border leave a seat is left vacant for Baba as a sign of respect at flag meetings. People and soldiers passing through make it a point to pay their respects at the shrine. Clearly faith is stronger than anything else here.