‘Secret Force’ Comprising Tibetans Gets Award for Operation Against China in Ladakh

In a rare acknowledgement of Special Frontier Force (SFF), a secret unit comprising Tibetans living in India, a solider’s valour has been recognised for operations against Chinese aggression in Ladakh.

Tsering Norbu was named under Mention-in-Despatches category, a gallantry recognition for his role in Operation Snow Leopard- the ongoing Indian Army action in Eastern Ladakh.

He is among 54 others to be rewarded under the category for Operation Snow Leopard.

Tibetans living in India have been part of a secret Special Frontier Force (SFF) formed an after the 1962 war. Since then, this unit has been part of operations during the 1971 war against Pakistan, the Kargil conflict in 1999 and many other important missions.

During the ongoing operations in Ladakh SFF has been at the forefront part of operations against Chinese belligerence.

Subedar Nyima Tenzin died on August 30, 2020 in a land mine blast in an operation on the south bank of Pangong Lake.

When he was laid to rest in a funeral attended by the Tibetan community’s Indian Army officers in Leh, it was perhaps the first public acknowledgement of the secret force.

It was a moment of pride for several Tibetans settled in India who were present to pay their last rites.

Another SFF soldier Tenzin Londen who had been deployed in Chushul since early June was injured in the mine blast but recovered later.

The Special Frontier Force or the SFF was not talked about much till now. The recent action on the borders in Ladakh amid the eight-month military tussle with China has brought them in the public glare.

Among other gallantry awards for Ladakh operations, one Mahavir Chakra, 5 Vir Chakras, 15 Sena Medals and several mention-in-despatches gallantry awards were announced on the eve of Republic Day.

In a population of 7500 Tibetans in Ladakh, close to 1500 are either veterans or still serving the army as part of SFF. The force played an important role in the Kargil conflict of 1999, Operation Meghdoot in 1984 to occupy Siachen Glacier and even 1971 war.

Source: India Today