Amidst the snow-capped mountains and chilling winds of Arunachal Pradesh, a tale of courage, sacrifice, and lost love echoes through the Sela Pass, Noora Post, and Jaswant Garh. These places are not just landmarks—they bear the names of three individuals whose fates were forever intertwined in the Indo-China War of 1962.
A Soldier’s Stand: The Battle of Nuranang
It was November 1962, during the Indo-Sino war, when Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the 4th Garhwal Rifles stood guard near Nuranang, just 21 km from Sela Pass. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had suffered two defeats at the hands of the Indian Army in the region, but their third attack came with brutal force.
With heavy shelling and advancing enemy troops, Jaswant Singh, along with Riflemen Triloki Singh and Gopal Gusai, was ordered to retreat. But he refused to abandon his post. Determined to defend India at all costs, he and his comrades decided to fight till their last breath.
One by one, his fellow riflemen fell in battle. Left alone, Jaswant Singh outwitted the PLA, constantly shifting positions, firing from different locations, and making it seem like an entire battalion was holding the fort.
For 72 hours, he single-handedly engaged the Chinese forces, killing over 300 PLA soldiers before he was finally martyred. But Jaswant Singh wasn’t alone in his final fight—he had the support of two brave local women, Sela and Noora.
The Women Who Stood by Him: Sela and Noora
During his deployment, Jaswant Singh formed a deep bond with Sela, a local Monpa woman who often crossed his post. Some legends suggest they were in love, while others claim he had a relationship with both Sela and her sister, Noora.
When the Chinese attack intensified, Sela and Noora joined the battle, supplying Jaswant with food, ammunition, and support. Some stories even claim they picked up rifles and fought alongside him.
However, one version of the story takes a darker turn—it is said that Sela and Noora's father betrayed Jaswant Singh, revealing his location to the PLA. Whether true or not, what followed was heartbreaking.
Betrayal, Death, and a Fate Unknown
💀 Jaswant Singh fought till his last breath, but he was eventually overpowered and killed.
💀 Sela, devastated by his death, either died in battle or threw herself off a cliff.
❓ Noora was captured by the PLA and taken to China—she was never seen again.
The exact details remain shrouded in legend, but one thing is clear—their sacrifice delayed the PLA’s advance, preventing them from taking Baisakhi Post.
In recognition of his bravery, Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest military honor. His regiment, the 4th Garhwal Rifles, received the Battle Honour of Nuranang.
A Legacy Carved into the Mountains
The sacrifices of Jaswant Singh, Sela, and Noora are forever etched into the landscape of Arunachal Pradesh:
🏔️ Sela Pass and Sela Lake were named in honor of Sela.
🛡️ Noora Post stands as a reminder of Noora’s presence.
🏛️ Jaswant Garh, a revered memorial, marks the very ground where Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat fought and fell.
To this day, Indian soldiers honor Jaswant Singh’s memory. His post is maintained as if he is still alive, with his boots polished daily, bed made, and food placed for him—a tradition that blurs the line between history and legend.