Havildar Ram Narayan

Havildar Ram Narayan belonged to Gindokher village in Rewari district, Haryana, a region known for its deep-rooted military tradition. Growing up, he was surrounded by stories of bravery and sacrifice, which instilled in him a strong sense of duty towards the nation. Determined to follow in the footsteps of the soldiers before him, he joined the Indian Army and became a proud member of the 13 Kumaon Battalion, part of the legendary Kumaon Regiment, renowned for its courage and legacy dating back to the 1700s. Army life shaped him into a skilled and disciplined soldier, admired for his work ethic and unwavering dedication. While he gave his all to his duties, Hav Ram Narayan also cherished his responsibilities at home. He married Ms. Bhagwan Devi, and together they built a life grounded in love, and an understanding of the sacrifices military families must make.

Battle of Rezang La (Indo-China War) : 18 Nov 1962

In June 1962, Hav Ram Narayan's 13 Kumaon Battalion, under the command of Lt Col HS Dhingra, was moved from Ambala to Baramulla in J&K. In September 1962, as tensions with China escalated, the battalion was ordered to move to Leh on short notice. The 13 Kumaon Battalion was placed under the operational control of the 114 Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier TN Raina (who later became the COAS). The brigade was tasked with defending approximately 400 km of the Indo-China border, including the Chushul area. Alongside 13 Kumaon, 114 Infantry Brigade had four other battalions under its command: 14 J&K Militia, 7 J&K Militia, 5 Jat, and 1/8 Gorkha Rifles. Hav Ram Narayan was a part of Charlie Company, under the leadership of Major Shaitan Singh. As per the operational plan of 114 Infantry Brigade, 'C' Company of 13 Kumaon was deployed at Rezang La. Alpha Company, commanded by Maj GN Sinha, was the battalion reserve at the battalion HQ, located on high ground near Chushul. Bravo and Delta companies were stationed on Maggar Hill between Spanggur Gap and Rezang La Pass under the command of Capt RV Jatar. By 26 October 1962, Hav Ram Narayan and his comrades of 'C' Company had fortified their positions.

The platoons were deployed based on terrain and threat assessment to ensure an optimal tactical advantage. Platoons 7, 8, and 9 were positioned on the forward slopes of the hill: 7th Platoon, under Jemadar Surja Ram, held the northern flank; 8th Platoon, under Jemadar Hari Ram, occupied the pass area; and the central post was manned by 9th Platoon, under Jemadar Ram Chander, with the company HQ nearby. The mortar section, led by Naik Ram Kumar Yadav, was positioned on the reverse slope. The Chinese offensive in this sector began on 18 November, coinciding with the attack on Sela in the Northeast Frontier Agency (NEFA). A two-pronged assault was launched against the Chushul defenses. The northern prong targeted Gurung Hill, while the second targeted Charlie Company at Rezang La. Rezang La, situated approximately 11 km south of Spanggur Gap, was a critical position, as it dominated the road connecting Leh via Dungti, the lifeline for the Chushul garrison.

The first wave of attack came around 2:00 AM from the direction of Platoon 8, with a column of approximately 30 enemy soldiers. The movement was detected by the LP (Listening Post) of Platoon 8, and Jem Hari Ram was immediately informed by Section-1 commander Naik Hukam Chand. Jem Hari Ram alerted Capt Shaitan Singh and acted swiftly, instructing the Section-1 commander to move with an LMG detachment and halt the enemy's advance. When the enemy was about 50 yards away, Naik Hukam Chand ordered, "Fire." The surprise attack successfully repelled the first wave. The troops, including the section posts and mortar sections, were ready for the next assault. The second attack occurred at 4:00 AM, coming from the direction of Platoon 7. Jem Surja Ram quickly repositioned his 'Section-Three' to an alternate location and counterattacked the enemy with light machine guns, rifles, and grenades. Thanks to Jem Surja Ram and Naik Sahi Ram's section, the second wave was repelled. The enemy launched repeated attacks at regular intervals, increasing in intensity. The third, fourth, and fifth Chinese attacks were launched at 4:55 AM, 6:00 AM, and 6:30 AM, respectively. Hav Ram Narayan and his comrades held their defenses despite suffering losses of men and equipment until the sixth wave of attack, which came at 7:40 AM. By this time, the Indian resistance had weakened due to heavy casualties. For the first time, the Chinese brought in a 57 mm recoilless rifle, positioning it visibly on the ridge at 8:40 AM. The seventh wave of enemy attack came at 9:00 AM. 

Despite facing formidable challenges posed by the climate, terrain, and weaponry, Hav Ram Narayan and other soliders of the 'C' Company of 13 Kumaon fought with unwavering determination to ensure that the enemy paid a heavy price for their aggression at Rezang La. During the heavy exchange of fire Hav Ram Narayan got sevelry injured and made the ultimate sacrifice. Hav Ram Narayan and his comrades fought till the last man and the last bullet and their heroic stand thwarted the Chinese advance towards Chushul airfield.  After the ceasefire, Rezang La fell into no man's land, disputed by both sides. The bodies of Hav Ram Narayan and other martyred soldiers of 13 Kumaon lay frozen at the site until they were discovered by a shepherd nearly three months later.

Havildar Ram Narayan is survived by his wife Smt Bhagwan Devi.