PHOTOS: Sikkim Rescue Operations by Indian Army

The clear skies on bright and sunny tuesday saw Army resume helicopter sorties between North Sikkim and Gangtok,Bagdogra. The Army also plans to use Pakyong Airport for bigger and heavier helicopter operations.The Indian Army has won hearts of people across Sikkim for its sheer dedication and determination to reach out and help in every way possible to Quake hit victims .

Army Chief General VK Singh hails Armymen in Sikkim relief and rescue operations

Jaipur, Sep 24 : Army Chief General VK Singh today hailed relief and rescue operations being undertaken by the Army in affected areas of Sikkim.

Speaking at a function here this afternoon, General Singh said "About 5,000 to 6,000 Armymen have been working in the quake-ravaged difficult terrains in the bordering state of Sikkim, reaching out to every possible needy victims, serving them with utmost dedication and even providing their own ration and other materials to them".

The Army was dedicated to serve and secure the nation, he added.
Gen Singh reached here yesterday on a two-day official visit and took part in a number of programmes during his sojourn in the Pink City.

--UNI

100 Army Special Forces troops deployed in Sikkim

Gangtok:To carry out relief operations in areas rendered inaccessible due to the powerful earthquake that struck the Himalayan region last week, the Indian Army has deployed over 100 troops of its Special Forces in Sikkim.

Indian Army's Para-Special Forces deployed in nearby locations were brought here and then flown to totally cut off regions in North Sikkim by Mi-17 choppers, Indian Air Force (IAF) officials said.

Over four sorties with 22 SF troops each were flown to Chungthang and from there they were sent to forward locations.

The SF troops are carrying with them special equipment including ropes and other climbing gear which can be used to reach inaccessible places in mountains and help in rescuing stranded civilians and military personnel.

The troops are also carrying stretchers to evacuate stranded people.

The SF men have been divided in various small teams to conduct rescue operations in targeted areas and are also assisting in clearing important roads in the quake-hit areas of Sikkim.

The SF troops have been positioned in areas where the 112 brigade of the Indian Army is deployed. This Brigade which looks after the Indian border with China has been cut off from roads since the earthquake struck the region on September 18.

The army SF troops have been trained to carry out special operations in both conventional and non-conventional warfare.

The GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen Bikram Singh tours Sikkim Earthquake Areas

The GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen Bikram Singh (right), and Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, GOC, Trishakti Corps, talk to an injured person at the 158 base hospital of the army at Bengdubi on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Pictures: Sikkim earthquake epicentre, Mangan 54 km from Gangtok

Indian Army wants operational control of ITBP

NEW DELHI: With Chinese troops continuing with their aggressive "transgressions'' across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Army wants the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to be placed under its "operational control'' for better border management.

Defence ministry sources said the Army contends India's border management posture will acquire the much-needed "cohesion, coordination and synergy'' required to counter the People's Liberation Army's "offensive'' posture if ITBP is placed under its jurisdiction.

The Army feels such a step will prove operationally productive as well as ensure optimal utilisation of resources especially in eastern Ladakh where ITBP, one of the seven central police forces under the home ministry, is responsible for border management of 826 km of the LAC.

The Army is also present in depth along that stretch but it can exercise operational control over ITBP only during the outbreak of hostilities.

This is not the first time the Army has moved for getting ITBP under its operational wings along the 4,057-km LAC for "single-point control'' as well as effective "border-guarding'' rather than mere "border-policing''.

The defence ministry had six years ago taken up the Army proposal with the home ministry and the national security advisor, among others, but it all came to naught. Interestingly, one of the main objectors at that time was the external affairs ministry, which felt that it would needlessly antagonize China.

China has had no such compunctions. It continues with its policy of frequent troop incursions all along the three LAC sectors -- western (Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal).

Officially, India often downplays Chinese intrusions, holding that they take place due to "differing perceptions'' of the still-unresolved LAC. The fact, however, remains that China has been indulging in aggressive border patrolling for several years now to strengthen its claim over disputed areas and put pressure on India.

India's overall border management policy has remained largely muddled over the years despite having a porous land border of 14,880-km, running through 17 states and touching six countries. Moreover, it took the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai for the government to rethink security of the country's 5,422-km coastline and 1,197 islands.

The large land borders with both China and Pakistan, as also Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal, continue to suffer from a lack of coordination among the different forces manning the border outposts, ranging from BSF, ITBP and Sashastra Seema Bal to Assam Rifles and of course the Army, which report to different bosses and ministries.

Incidentally, both the Border Management Task Force in the aftermath of the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the subsequent Group of Ministers' report on "reforming the national security system'' in 2001, had strongly recommended the principle of "one border one force''.

"Multiplicity of forces on the same borders has inevitably led to the lack of accountability as well as problems of command and control,'' held the crucial GoM report. But since then, both the previous NDA and the present UPA regimes have taken only half-hearted steps to plug the gaps.

China can deploy 5L troops on India border

New Delhi: Even as India struggles to match its eastern neighbour’s infrastructure along the border between the two countries, reports claimed Wednesday, that China now has the capability to deploy and maintain more than five lakh troops for over a month on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in case of a threat scenario with India.

As per a newspaper report, Indian Army has apprised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the threat perception emerging out of China’s assertive stance.

The Indian military's top brass had last month given a presentation on the developing scenario in South Block to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, National Security Adviser SS Menon, Principal Secretary TK Nair and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, the report said.

Concerns about China’s plans are well founded as Beijing has been carrying out a major infrastructure upgradation in Xinjiang and Tibet bordering India. Its assertiveness over Arunachal Pradesh and active role in the Ladakh region has also been a cause of worry for New Delhi.

The report said that the PM has been informed that Chinese People’s Liberation Army, with a defence budget estimated at $150 billion, can rapidly deploy 34 troop divisions (23,000 soldiers form one division) along the LAC by pulling t troops from Chengdu and Lanzhou regions.

In comparison, India is said to only have the capability to the hold nine divisions along the northern borders.

China has been, notwithstanding the treacherous terrain, quietly but resolutely building infrastructure along its border with India

There is now 58,000 km of roads in Tibet region besides the plan to build 11 new rail lines in Tibet and Xinjiang, which will ensure rapid deployment of troops by PLA.

To the south of Tibet, the railway is being extended to Shigatse (close to Sikkim).

Moreover, China has announced plans for a rail link to link Kathmandu, Myanmar, Bhutan, Pakistan and Central Asian republics.

In terms of air power, China now has many air bases in Tibet and Xinjiang from where India is well “within the range”.

Not to forget China’s all-weather friendship with Pakistan and Beijing’s greater involvement in the Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Surely, Indian security planners have a tough job at hand

Lt Col Vishrant Nanjappa Loses Life in Sikkim Helicopter Crash

Madikeri, Apr 23: Lt Col Vishrant Nanjappa (34), son of Chaureera Nanaiah from Hoddoor near Moornadu village in the district, lost his life in a helicopter tragedy that occurred on Wednesday April 20 on Indo-China border in Sikkim. Vishrant, who had served for 13 years as pilot, was on defence duty when the crash occurred.

Vishrant had married Nayana from Halugunda village in Virajpet taluk of the district about 30 months back. He is survived by parents, wife, and an eighteen month old daughter. Nayana works as manager in Kannametal India, Bangalore.

The colonel, who was recently promoted as commanding officer, was about to be posted to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. It is said that he was planning to visit his wife and daughter living in Bangalore, before taking over the new post. His family had settled down in BTM Layout Bangalore some years ago. Vishrant’s father, Nanaiah, had retired as the deputy general manager of Vijaya Bank.

Wreckage of Dhruv, bodies of 4 personnel found in North sikkim

GANGTOK: The wreckage of the Dhruv helicopter that went down in north Sikkim near the border with China on Thursday and the bodies of the four soldiers on board were found in the Shiv Mandir area on Friday.
Army helicopters located the wreckage at 9.30 a.m. and ground parties reached the spot an hour-and-a-half later, sources in the Eastern Army Command said. “Though it seems that the helicopter had crashed owing to the inclement weather, a court of inquiry has been ordered,” they said.

The helicopter, carrying two pilots of the rank of major and two technicians , took off on a routine training exercise, along with another Dhruv, from the Sewak road base in Siliguri at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday. It lost contact with the base around 11.30 a.m. while flying 15, 000 feet over Shiv Mandir, near Yumisamdong, a densely forested area covered with a thick blanket of snow. The spot is 15 km north of Lachung.

The army immediately launched a search, but postponed it till Friday morning owing to the inclement weather.

On April 19, a Russian-made Mi-17-2 helicopter, owned by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd., crashed after it took off from Guwahati for Tawang, killing 17 persons. The indigenously developed Dhruv has been serving the Army and the Indian Air Force. — PTI

Army chopper goes missing in North Sikkim

North Sikkim, : An Indian Army helicopter ALS Dhurva went missing shortly after take-off in North Sikkim  near China border on Thursday morning around 11.30 with four people, including two pilots, on board.

A defence spokesperson said the four-seater helicopter took off from the army’s North district base in Sikkim, .“There were four people on board, two pilots and two army personnel. We do not have much details but the helicopter was on a training sortie,” army spokesperson said.

An army officer said: “All we can say at this point in time is that the helicopter has lost contact and we have since begun an aerial search, besides people on the ground have also been pressed into .

FIREBALL 2009 @ 13000 FT.

Army hold fire power demo at 13, 000 ft
GANGTOK, November 27: An impressive show of fire power demonstration was conducted by the Indian Army at Sikkim Ranges near Tsomgo Lake above 13, 000 ft, five kilometres below the Indo-China border today.
The show was followed by equipment display which showcased modern inventory of Army equipment including artillery guns, infantry weapons, engineering, communication and logistic equipment. Tactical mobility during battlefield was demonstrated by Angile Cheetah Helicopters.
Codenamed Exercise Fireball, the targets were engaged by precision and heavy fire power of artillery and infantry weapons amid applause by a huge presence of people comprising of students from colleges and school along with civilians.
The event was graced by Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly KT Gyaltsen, State Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel, State HRD Minister N K Pradhan , Senior Civil Dignitaries and Army officers including General Officer Commanding, 33 Crops Lieutenant General DS Sidhu and General Officer Commentating, 17 Mountain Division Major General RS Chopra.
“Conducting these kinds of mega events reaffirms the faith of common people towards Armed Forces who are always prepared to defend the frontiers of the nation against any kind of aggression,” said Army officials

Yak, indian army’s new beast of burden

Sikkim,November 20: The yak may take the place of the mule in carrying food, arms and ammunition for the Indian army on the uppermost reaches of mountains.

The army's 190 Mountain Brigade is in collaboration with the National Research Centre on Yak (NRCY) here for an experiment to replace mules with yaks for forward posts at high altitudes.

The results of the experiment, headed by NRCY Senior Scientist K.P. Ramesha and Lieutenant Colenel Nirbhay Kumar, were published in the Indian Veterinary Journal (IVJ) and the Indian Journal of Animal Sciences.

“A study was conducted at (an) altitude (of) 14,400 feet in a forward army post area to determine the suitability of using yaks as pack animals during snowfall. There was no effect of snowfall on (the) speed of (the animals) as well as on (their) physiological status. Trials indicated that yaks could be used as pack animals even during heavy snowfall at high altitudes,” the summary report in the IVJ said.

A similar exercise by China apparently prompted the trial.

It snows for four months at 7,500 feet or higher along the northern frontier - from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh and to Kashmir.

Posts at those heights remain virtually cut-off during this period, exposing them to possible raids from across the borders.

The yak is a hairy, bovine creature that cannot live below 7,500 feet. Its double-coat protects it from icy winds, and its high red blood cell count helps it to breathe normally up to 15,000 feet.

It can be easily trained as a pack animal.

Jawan killed in road mishap at Gangtok-Nathu La road

GANGTOK, November 13: One army havaldar was killed and two jawans were seriously injured when an army heavy vehicle slipped and crashed some 800 m down the road at 6th Mile, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg connecting Gangtok with Nathu La border.
The vehicle belonging to a signals regiment was proceeding towards Binagudi in Siliguri from a border outpost when the mishap took place around 9 am in the morning.
The vehicle slipped down the road while apparently giving pass to an oncoming vehicle.
Havaldar SK Singh (40) who was driving the vehicle was killed at the spot. Two other jawans, signalman Jitendra Kumar (23) and signalman JP Singh (25) suffered serious injuries and were rushed to the army hospital at Libing in Gangtok.
The body was released to the army authorities after post mortem formalities at STNM hospital.
It is informed that the duo will be flown to another hospital in Siliguri today. The deceased is said to be from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh and had one year service left.
Moments after the news of the accident spread, army personnel from nearby bases along with men from 19th Engineers rushed to the spot and pulled out the two injured jawans from the spot where the vehicle had crashed.
The vehicle was shattered into pieces and its main body remained in a mangled heap. The 19th Engineers fixed ropes and deployed manpower to evacuate the injured jawans and recover the body up a steep hill.
Local police led by OC Sherthang police station Cholay Tshering Bhutia also participated in the rescue and relief operations.
This is the second such mishap along the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg in the past one week.
On November 6, an army jawan was killed and seven others injured in a similar accident at 9th Mile

Green Drive in Sikkim by Army

Gangtok, Sep 24 (ANI): The Indian Army has launched an afforestation drive in the high altitude area of East Sikkim on Wednesday.

A total of 6000 saplings have been planted in the area which includes various species like Sikkim fir, maple juniper, chinguapin, English lac, rhododendron, purple Iris, Jatamansi, Strawberry and fenugreek.

General Officer Commanding of the Black Cat Division, Major General R.S. Chopra, planted a sapling to mark the launching of the green drive.

Speaking on the occasion Major General R.S. Chopra said, “Our commitment and concern towards the cause of environment has been again emphasised by the current afforestation drive undertaken by the unit in this high altitude region”

Indian Council of Agricultural Research Deputy Director (ICAR) Rehman praised the drive and the enthusiasm of the Army personnel in making Sikkim green and adding to its natural beauty.
 (ANI)

Govt denies Chinese firing in North Sikkim

NEW DELHI, Sept 15 – The Ministry of External Affairs has denied reports of firing by the Chinese Army in North Sikkim, describing it as ‘factually incorrect’. The two separate denials by the MEA and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) followed reports in a national daily about the firing a fortnight ago, leading to injury of two jawans of the Central paramilitary force in the firing by Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) about 15 days ago.

“A media report about two ITBP jawans having been injured due to firing from across the LAC has come to notice. The report is factually incorrect,’’ a spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry said.

The ITBP, meanwhile, reacting to the reports stated that it is factually incorrect and baseless. No such incident of firing has taken place in north Sikkim on the Indo-China border and no member of the ITBP has been injured, the clarification said.

The daily quoting unnamed sources reported that it was the first incident where bullets were fired since the landmark 1996 Sino-India agreement in which both sides pledged not to open fire.

The report described it as yet another instance of China’s maintaining pressure on the 2.1 square km area of ‘Finger Tip’ in northern Sikkim. The Kerang shootout prompted an unscheduled border personnel meeting on August 30, it was reported.

The report quoting Army sources said People’s Liberation Army patrols have been sighted crossing over the LAC six times since January this year – four times in Upper Subansiri district in June and July, and twice in Lohit district in January in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, recalling that Chinese continues to occupy Sumdorong Chu valley since 1986.

Despite ceremonial border personnel meetings (BPMs) at Nathu La in Sikkim and Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal, Chinese troops continue to violate the LAC with brazen regularity, the report said.

With the ensuing visit of Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh leading the Chinese to react sharply, New Delhi is playing it safe not to provoke Beijing further. China claims 90,000 square km of India’s territory.

China has expressed strong concern about this visit. “China’s stance on the so-called Arunachal Pradesh is consistent. We firmly oppose Dalai visiting the so-called Arunachal Pradesh,” Jiang Yu, the spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, was quoted as saying.

The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Laureate, is scheduled to visit Arunachal Pradesh in the middle of November.

Last year, a delegation led by Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu had visited Dharamsala to invite the Dalai Lama to visit Tawang to inaugurate a hospital. The Dalai Lama has contributed Rs 20 lakh for its construction

ITBP jawans injured in China border shootout in North Sikkim

Gangtok,Guwahati & Kolkatta: Simmering tensions along the mountainous frontier with China appear to have become serious with a revelation that two jawans of
the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the sentinel force along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), were injured in bullets fired from the Chinese side.

The firing in an area identified as Kerang in northern Sikkim took place a fortnight ago but has been kept under wraps. It was confirmed on Monday by a highly-placed intelligence source, who is not authorised to give information to the media. ITBP officials at its headquarters in New Delhi declined to confirm the incident.

It was the first incidents where bullets have been fired since the landmark 1996 Sino-India agreement in which both sides pledged not to open fire, no matter what the provocation, as a part of confidence-building measures.

Sources cite this as yet another instance of China's maintaining pressure on the 2.1 sq km area of `Finger Tip' in northern Sikkim. Last year, China had sent a vehicle-mounted patrol into this area, penetrating 1 km into Indian territory. The Kerang shootout prompted an unscheduled border personnel meeting on August 30.

Also last week, the entire situation along the LAC was reviewed in a war game by the Eastern Command top brass in Kolkata's Fort William, Eastern Command HQs, in the presence of Army chief General Deepak Kapoor.

Violations aren't new but have rarely involved casualties. What is alarming is the report of shooting along the LAC which has remained peaceful for decades since the Chinese invasion of 1962.

At Asaphila in Upper Subansiri Division of Arunachal Pradesh, for instance, a contingent of 22 Chinese troops had intercepted an armed Indian patrol of two policemen, three porters and five Special Service Bureau personnel in June 2003, disarmed them and returned them to the Indian Army.

In contrast, the Kerang incident could be a significant and dangerous deviation from the practice of talks before bullets.

Despite ceremonial border personnel meetings (BPMs) at Nathu La in Sikkim and Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal, Chinese troops continue to violate the LAC with brazen regularity.

According to Army sources, People's Liberation Army patrols have been sighted crossing over the LAC six times since January this year -- four times in Upper Subansiri district in June and July, and twice in Lohit district in January. A Chinese post continues to occupy Sumdorong Chu valley since 1986.

The situation has been worsened by the fact that the border is unguarded at some places in Arunachal Pradesh, mainly due to inhospitable terrain marked by high mountains and hostile weather throughout the year. At some locations there are no field units on either side. There is no deployment of Indian forces in at least one district, the backward Kurung Kumey (Tawang's neighbour).

Such forays by Chinese troops have left the population near the LAC insecure. "Chinese patrols encroached into my district in June and July,'' said Upper Subansiri deputy commissioner H G Shalla.

Western Arunachal Pradesh MP Takam Sanjay -- whose constituency has many areas where Chinese incursions have happened -- said the local people felt unsafe. "People of Arunachal do not want to face 1962 all over again,'' he said. He has taken up with the Centre the issue of securing the border. "It seems, somewhere we have lost involvement.''

Indian troops on the LAC have even sighted Chinese grazers and fishermen crossing over and pushed them back, say sources. Bhutan, too, faces the same problem. People from Tibet cross over in search of medicinal herbs.

According to Army sources, there is no PLA build-up across the border, but what worries the Indian top brass is the definite edge the Chinese have in terms of infrastructure, particularly road communication. Because of this, they can move reinforcements to the LAC at a short notice, which is difficult for India. In Asaphila, the last road on the Indian side ends 50 km away from the LAC.

Political leaders from Arunachal, like former MP Kiren Rijiju, have been vocal against the Indian policy of not developing infrastructure on the border for fear the Chinese would use them in case of a war. He has described this as a "defensive policy''. Sanjay, however, said that with prime minister Manmohan Singh granting Rs 24,000 crore to Arunachal for infrastructure development, the situation is set to change.

One of the most important projects is the construction of the trans-Arunachal highway, connecting Tawang with Changlang district. It is learnt that the Cabinet committee on infrastructure has given approval for bidding for two sections of this highway.

(With inputs from Amalendu Kundu in Gangtok)

cycling expedition at Nathu-la

Gangtok: The Blazing Bofors cycling expedition was flagged off from Nathu-la in East Sikkim on September 4.The team, comprising two officers, two junior commissioned officers and 12 Dauntless Khalsas of a medium regiment under the Black Cat Division, will pedal 838km in 27 days — of which 224km is in the hilly terrain of Dokala, Gyemochen, Kupup and Rangpo in Sikkim — before reaching the Eastern Command Headquarters at Fort William in Calcutta on September 30.

Maj. Gen. R.S. Chopra, the general-officer-commanding of the Black Cat Division who flagged off the expedition, hailed the efforts of the team members. He said such exercise would help the participants inculcate in themselves the spirit of adventure, camaraderie and leadership qualities.

The adventure to commemorate the 182nd Gunners Day will test physical and mental toughness of the participants as it involves week-long cycling and trekking in the hilly terrain, which has a number of peaks above 14,500ft.

No Exchange of Fire in Nathula: Army Chief

Admitting that a Chinese military helicopter had violated Indian airspace in Jammu and Kashmir two months back, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor on Monday said New Delhi has taken up the matter with Beijing.
"Let me inform you one incursion of a Chinese helicopter (along the Line of Actual Control in Leh) took place some time back," he told reporters after taking over as the new chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee here.

He, however, said the matter has been taken up by India during the border personnel meet with the Chinese immediately after the incursion.

"The matter has been taken up with China during meetings of border personnel of the two sides," Kapoor said.

But giving a benefit of doubt to the Chinese, he said the incursion could be the result of a "navigational error".

He, however, said reports of more than one incursion by Chinese helicopters were "incorrect".

The Chinese helicopter had entered the Indian airspace on June 21 this year and is reported to have air-dropped canned food at Chumar, northeast of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kapoor, however, said there was "no special concern" over the Chinese incursion along the LAC as it is due to differing perceptions about the border line. He also said there was no increase in such incidents as indicated in media reports and that the number of incidents remained the same as last year.

However, he did not give the number of incursions reported this year. The army chief also denied reports of Indian and Chinese Army personnel exchanging fire along the LAC in Sikkim. "There was no firing incident (along the LAC in Sikkim). There is nothing to worry about," he added.

Asked if India needed a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as recommended by the Kargil Review Committee in early 2000, Kapoor said it is better if India had a CDS.

"It is better India has a CDS. I hope the government finds the appropriate time to have a CDS. It is in the interest of Armed Forces, if we shift to the (CDS) system," he said.
To a query if he met the Pakistan Army Chief in Tokyo during Pacific Army Commanders Conference early this month, Kapoor said there was no representative from the neighbouring country during the meet even though there were invited.

(PTI)

Generals in charge of China border head for Beijing — and Lhasa

In an effort to achieve some confidence building amid growing suspicion of a military build-up on the Sino-Indian border, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen V K Singh is leading a high-level military delegation to China on a weeklong “goodwill visit” that would include a rare stop in Lhasa. The Eastern Army Command is responsible for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
It is learnt that Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen S K Singh, who is responsible for forces facing the Chinese on the Ladakh border, is also part of the delegation along with a senior official from the Lucknow-based Central Command that oversees deployment along the Uttarakhand border.

While senior Indian military officials — the last being the Central Army Commander in 2006-07 — have visited China, this visit draws its significance from the fact that it includes all senior officials in-charge of Army deployment along the India-China border. The plan, sources said, had been in the works but dates could only be finalised now.

SIKKIM NATHULA PASS

Nathula Pass - An Ancient Silk Route (also spelt Ntula, Natu La, Nathu la, Natula) is a pass on the Indo-China border connecting the Indian state of Sikkim with South Tibet. The pass, located at an elevation of 4,310 m (14,200 feet) above mean sea level, forms part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route.
After remaining closed for more than 40 years, the pass is due to open for trade on 2006-07-06. The pass is useful for indo-china foreign trade promotion.
The route leading up to the pass is one of the world's highest navigable roads, and is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, a wing of the Indian Army. On the Pass the Indian army and the Chinese border guards are within touching distance of each other. To visit the Indian side of Nathula, a visitor's permit must be made one day in advance, which is done by any travel agency

The pass is 56 kilometres east of the capital Gangtok. Although just 5 km north of the Jelepla pass, the Nathula pass is not navigable in winters as it receives heavy snowfall. Temperatures in Nathula regularly dip to -25 °C in winters. The pass is open only to Indian nationals on Wednesdays,

Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. On other days is it in use for exclusive military use. A no man's land is absent, and the border consists of a barbed wire fence. Every Thursdays and Sunday post between the two nations are exchanged, a tradition dating back many decades