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KIBITHU, 10 Sep:<\/strong> The strategically key Kibithu military garrison on the banks of the Lohit valley along the line of actual control (LAC) and a key road in this mountain hamlet were on Saturday named after India’s first chief of defence staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, around nine months after he died in a helicopter crash.<\/p>\n As a young colonel, Rawat commanded his battalion, the 5\/11 Gorkha Rifles, in Kibithu from 1999-2000 and contributed immensely to strengthening the security structure in the area.<\/p>\n The military garrison looks after the LAC in the sensitive sector. Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Rima post is just opposite the Indian garrison.<\/p>\n Nestled in the mountainous and arduous terrain of the Lohit valley, Kibithu is located near the LAC and is the eastern-most military garrison of India.<\/p>\n The small hamlet is inhabited by Meyor and Jarkin tribes.<\/p>\n Lack of surface connectivity with the nearest road head at Meshai precluded movement to Kibithu, which was air maintained till as late as 1997. A foot suspension bridge (FSB 17) was the sole link to the eastern bank of the Lohit river.<\/p>\n The garrison and the 22-km-long road stretch from Walong to Kibithu were named after Gen Rawat at a ceremony attended by Governor BD Mishra, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, and Gen Rawat’s daughter Tarini.<\/p>\n Speaking on the occasion, Khandu announced a financial package of Rs 10 crore to make the garrison one of the best military stations in forward locations.<\/p>\n Mishra said “Gen Rawat’s contributions to strengthening the country’s defence structures are unparalleled.”<\/p>\n The Kibithu military camp was renamed Gen Bipin Rawat Military Garrison, wherein a grand gate built in the local traditional architectural style was inaugurated by the governor.<\/p>\n The 22 km road stretch from Walong to Kibithu was dedicated as Gen Bipin Rawat Marg by the chief minister.<\/p>\n A majestic life-size mural of Gen Rawat was also unveiled.<\/p>\n Gen Rawat was killed in a helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on 8 December last year, along with his wife Madhulika and 12 armed forces personnel.<\/p>\n Bad weather leading to a phenomenon called controlled flight into terrain was identified as the prime reason for the crash of the IAF helicopter.<\/p>\n Rawat was posthumously conferred India’s second-highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, early this year.<\/p>\n The army said Gen Rawat’s vision and foresight were instrumental in implementing the infrastructural development and ensuring societal progress in the area.<\/p>\n “Gen Bipin Rawat’s untimely demise in December 2021 left an irreplaceable void in the country,” the army said.<\/p>\n The event was attended by citizens of Kibithu and Walong.<\/p>\n The garrison is considered very important for its strategic location.<\/p>\n Kibithu was first occupied by the 2 Assam Rifles in December 1950 with one platoon. In 1959, the post was further strengthened with an additional platoon.<\/p>\n Kibithu endured the initial onslaught of Chinese aggression during the 1962 Sino-India war.<\/p>\n On the termination of the war, Kibithu was reoccupied by the 2 Assam Rifles in 1964. In 1985, the 6 Rajput took over its defences.<\/p>\n During his tenure, Gen Rawat significantly upgraded the garrison, synergised civil-military relations with the locals and formalised the border personnel meeting mechanism. (PTI)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" KIBITHU, 10 Sep: The strategically key Kibithu military garrison on the banks of the Lohit valley along the line of actual control (LAC) and a key road in this mountain hamlet were on Saturday named after India’s first chief of defence staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, around nine months after he died in a helicopter crash. 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