From sacrifice to sunrise: Walong memorial pays tribute to 1962 warriors, boosts tourism

The Indian Army is gearing up for a month-long series of events at the Walong War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district to mark 63 years of the historic Battle of Walong, one of the fiercest encounters of the 1962 India-China war.

The initiative also seeks to promote war tourism in the remote border district, which shares frontiers with both China and Myanmar. Earlier this month, Chief Minister Pema Khandu visited the Helmet Post near Walong on September 7, paying tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the battle.

The Helmet Post memorial, named after a chilling 1986 discovery of a soldier’s remains alongside 24 helmets by the Border Roads Organisation, has since stood as a symbol of sacrifice and courage. Khandu hailed the site as “a lasting symbol of courage,” while specially honouring Lt Bikram Singh of the 6 Kumaon Regiment, calling him the “unsung hero of Walong.”

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Fought between October 22 and November 16, 1962, the Battle of Walong is remembered for the extraordinary resistance mounted by Indian troops of the 11 Infantry Brigade, including 6 Kumaon and 4 Dogra regiments, against a numerically superior Chinese force. Military historians note Walong as one of the rare fronts where Indian soldiers not only held ground but also launched counterattacks.

“The courage of our soldiers at Walong continues to inspire generations, and it is our duty to preserve their legacy,” Khandu said, stressing Arunachal Pradesh’s role as India’s “first line of defence.”

Anjaw Deputy Commissioner Millo Kojin also announced that a Sunrise Festival will be celebrated in December at Dong Valley and Walong, known for receiving the first rays of the sun in India, as part of efforts to boost tourism in the region.