UNSUNG HEROES OF THE INDIAN ARMY: EP #7

UNSUNG HEROES OF THE INDIAN ARMY: EP #7

Major Shaitan Singh, Param Vir Chakra (PVC) – 1962 Indo-China War

Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was born on December 1, 1924, in Jodhpur (Rajasthan) in a military family. His father was Lt Col Hem Singh, served in France with the Indian Army during World War I and was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British government.

After graduation, he joined the Jodhpur State Forces. He was transferred to the famous Kumaon Regiment on 01 Aug 1949 after the princely state of Jodhpur was merged into India. He took part in Operations in the Naga Hills and also in the Indian Annexation of Goa.

Battle of Rezang La (Ladakh): 18 Nov 1962

 During 1962 Indo-China War, the ‘C’ Company of the 13th Kumaon battalion, commanded by Maj Shaitan Singh, held a crucial position at Rezang La, a pass to the south-east of Chushul Valley in Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) at an altitude of 17000 feet. The area was defended by five platoons, however, the mountainous terrain isolated it from the rest of the battalion. They expected a Chinese attack on the Rezang La, which came on the 18th of November.

The Chinese advanced to attack the platoons No.7 and No.8. Both of them opened fire on the enemy with rifles, light machine guns, grenades and mortars, however, the artillery could not be used. The enemy soldiers suffered heavy casualties and only the boulders offered cover to some of the survivors.

 Soon after, about 350 Chinese troops commenced advancing to the position of platoon No.9 which then opened fire. Within minutes, the Chinese lost most of their men, resulting in an unsuccessful frontal attack. Following this, the Chinese engaged in a rear attack with 400 troops. They employed intense machine gun fire along with heavy artillery and mortar shelling. About 120 Chinese troops charged No.7 Platoon position, yet many of them were killed by Indian Army 3-inch mortar. The troops that did survive were met by an assault of a dozen Kumaon soldiers.

The climate was unfavourable with a cold and biting wind, and unlike the Indian soldiers, the Chinese were loaded with heavy artillery. When Shaitan Singh asked for more help from his base, he was told that it is not possible to send more help and that he should return the vacant post. It was not acceptable for Satan Singh to accept defeat. He and other Indian soldiers decided to fight till the last breath.

Maj Shaitan Singh displayed exemplary leadership and bravery in the battle of Rezang La. He led his troops admirably and did not fear for his personal safety, moving from one platoon post to another and encouraging his men. While moving among the posts he was seriously wounded by a Chinese MMG, but that did not deter him. As two of his comrades were trying to evacuate him, the Chinese opened heavy machine gun fire on them. Maj Singh did not want to endanger their lives and ordered them to leave him. They placed him behind a boulder on the slopes of a hill, where he breathed his last, still gripping his weapon.

Major Shaitan UNSUNG HEROES OF THE INDIAN ARMY: EP #7

body was not available until three months after the war ended. When the snow started melting, the Red Cross Society and the Army started looking for them. When Major Shaitan Singh's body was found in the snow frozen condition, he still held the gun. It was flown to Jodhpur and cremated with full military honours.

Maj Shaitan Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the highest wartime gallantry medal, for his unfaltering courage, leadership and exemplary devotion to duty.

The bodies were all frozen, with their bayonets in their hands, in a crouching position, bullets in their chest, dead, holding the naked bayonet in a fighting stance. Clasping the machine gun, with grenade still in hands, the Chinese couldn’t take the grenade off their hand.

Just to explain the significance of this battle. It actually brought about a strategic turnaround in the war of 1962, because it broke the Chinese advance and the Chinese momentum.

The Sino-Indian war of 1962 goes down in our history books as nothing more than India's disastrous defeat to the Chinese due to the failure of Political as well as Military leadership.

Hindi film Haqeeqat (Dharmendra and Balraj Sahni) been made on the battle of Rezang La. Lyrics of the famous songs by Kaifi Azmi - Kar chale hum fida jaan-o-tan saathiyo, ab tumhare hawale watan saathiyo…

Major Shaitan Singh – The true Hero of 1962 War, we salute you, we thank you for service and thank you for inspiring thousands of youngsters! Truly an unsung hero.