Major Shaitan Singh: A Hero's Unforgettable Stand at Rezang La

Major Shaitan Singh is an unforgettable hero who fought till his last breath for India. Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration. His story, and the story of the soldiers of Rezang La, is a powerful reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made for our nation.

Strategic Point In 1962 Indo-China War

Our story takes us back to the 1962 War between India and China. However, India lost the war against China. Some moments during the war had reminded the bravery of the Indian army. It was at the Chushul area, home to a critical Army airstrip that served as the lifeline for supplies and communication. The Chinese Army was determined to capture this strategic point. A small contingent of the Indian Army was deployed in a place called Rezang La.

It comprised 120 soldiers from the 13 Kumaon Regiment, led by Major Shaitan Singh. Most of these young men, barely 18 to 20 years old. All the soldiers from Haryana were to experience the snow for the first time. The challenge was that the temperatures plummeted to -25 to -30 degrees Celsius. 

They lacked proper winter coats, boots, or advanced weaponry. They were armed with outdated .303 rifles from World War II, a mere 500 hand grenades, nine LMGs, and a small mortar. The Chinese, in contrast, were 3,000 strong, equipped with modern SLRs, 132mm mortars, MMGs, and rockets.

A Leader's Resolve

Major Shaitan Singh understood the gravity of the situation. He divided his 120 men into three platoons, ready for the inevitable attack. On the morning of November 18, 1962, at 3:00 AM, Chinese vehicles were spotted advancing. Major Singh, despite his men's urging to open fire, waited patiently. He held his ground until the enemy was just 50 meters away, a mere stone's throw, before giving the command to fire. This tactical decision conserved their precious ammunition and caused heavy casualties among the Chinese, forcing them to retreat.

The Chinese attempted a clever trick, sending yaks with lanterns tied to their horns to deplete Indian ammunition, but Major Singh saw through this. He realised they needed reinforcements and informed the headquarters. The reply was disheartening: no reinforcements would come, and they were ordered to evacuate the post.

This was a moment of truth. Major Shaitan Singh, without hesitation, declared, "I will not move an inch." He conveyed the order to his men, giving them the choice to leave. But every single soldier echoed his sentiment: "This country is our mother. How can we leave our mother?" They all chose to stay and fight. Their new strategy: conserve ammunition and capture enemy weapons.

The Truth Unveiled

It wasn't until February 1963, three months after the battle, that a shepherd discovered the frozen bodies of the Indian soldiers. Brigadier T. N. Raina led a mission that recovered 133 bodies. What they found was truly remarkable: not a single soldier had been shot in the back. Every single one had taken bullets on their chest, facing the enemy directly. Major Shaitan Singh's body was found by the same rock where he had made his final stand.

The truth of their extraordinary bravery brought tears to the eyes of Brigadier Raina and his men. The nation finally recognised the incredible sacrifice of these heroes who were once wrongly suspected of fleeing.