Pardafas Reporter
Under ground trench(left) and remains of quarter guard (right) built by Khampa rebels .Photo: Nepali Army's fortnight magazine 'Sainik'
The 75-member military team of Nepali Army academician and battalions and officicers of all levels had conducted research on the Khampa Rebellion and the main camps of the Khampa Disarmament Campaign operated by the Nepali Army in the past.
The Mustang-based Bajradal Battalion conducted a 'Staff Ride' on December 25 inside the Sainik High Altitude School (then the main camp of the Khampas) at Gharapzhong Gaonpalika-5.
According to Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Narayan Silwal, the study process is called 'Staff Ride'.
Staff Ride is a military's terminology , where the soldiers participate to have detailed information about the past events of the struggle between the army and other forces. They study the strengths and weaknesses and the geographical and strategic importance of such conflict.
Expert Chandra Bahadur Thakali, a resident of the same village, education officer of the school and battalion head of Bajradal battalion provided detailed knowledge to the Nepali Army study team about the Khampa disarmament campaign carried out by the Nepal Army in 2031 BS.
According to the army's fortnightly magazine Sainik, there were 75 participants in the staff ride from Bahini Base No. 23, High Altitude School and Bajradal Battalion.
What is the Khampa Disarmament Campaign?
Khampa were a group of Tibetan tribes who were operating in Nepal after the Dalai Lama fled to India under Chinese security action in Tibet in 1959.
In 1974, the then King Birendra issued an order to peacefully disarm the Khampas rebels, living in Mustang and bringing them near Pokhara, settling them there and forbidding them to go to China.
A special team of the Nepal Army was deployed to Pokhara on July 15, 1974 for preliminary preparations. The operation was carried out by the Srinath battalion under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Sachit Shamsher Rana.
The brigade headquarters was set up in Jomsom and the operation was launched. The Nepal Army had approached Khampa leader Gay Wangdi to surrender and hand over arms.
They were also promised of Nepali citizenship, land and money. The rebels initially agreed to submit their weapon on July 20, 1974. Later that date was extended to July 26 upon their request. The Khampas again demanded more time and agreed to hand over all weapons by midnight on July 31. But they did not surrender.
After the expiration of the term, the Nepal Army started searching for Khampa at Kesang Camp in Jomsom, Mustang, under Nilgiri Hill near Tilicho Lake from August 1, 1974 onwards.
During the search operation, the Nepal Army found a variety of weapons and ammunition buried underground. A search operation was also conducted in Chhusang, Samar, Ghiling and Ghammi.
But the leader Nike Gay Wangdi was not caught. He was on his way to India. A few days later, the army received a message from the local administration that Gay Wangdi's team was crossing the border from Nepalgunj.
Gay Wangdi was killed on September 15, 1974 in Tinkerlipu, Doti under mysterious circumstances.
Following the success of the disarmament campaign, King Birendra visited Kesang and conducted a meeting of the Council of Ministers as a sign of the victory over rebel groups.
