Date of Birth : December 1, 1924
Place of birth : Jodhpur Dist (Raj)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Major
Unit : 13 Kumaon
Arm/Regt : The Kumaon Regiment
Operation : Indo-China War 1962
Awards : Param Vir Chakra
Martyrdom : November 18, 1962
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was born on December 1, 1924, in Banasar village of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan in a military family. Son of an Army officer Lt Col Hem Singh Bhati and Smt Jawahar Kunwar, Maj Shaitan Singh did his schooling at Rajput HIgh School, Chopasani at Jodhpur. His father served with Jodhpur Lancers and took part in operations in France during World War-I. He was awarded the 'Order of the British Empire' by the British government for his bravery during WWI. Inspired by his father, Maj Shaitan Singh always aspired to be an Army officer like his father since his younger days. He continued to follow his dream while growing up. After completing his schooling he joined Jaswant College in Jodhpur for his graduation. On completing his graduation, Maj Shaitan Singh joined the Jodhpur Lancers (Horse Squadron) of Jodhpur State Forces. He was transferred to the Kumaon Regiment after the princely state of Jodhpur was merged into India on 07 April 1949.
He soon developed into an officer with admirable soldierly skills and commanded respect from his juniors and seniors as well. After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Shagun Kanwar and the couple was blessed with a son Narpat. He was promoted to the rank of captain on 25 November 1955 and took part in operations in Naga Hills and thereafter in 'Operation Vijay' in 1961 to liberate Goa. Besides being a deep-rooted soldier, he was a keen sportsman and particularly excelled in football. He played football in various tournaments and had the distinction of playing in the 'Services' team and also in Durand Coup. In June 1962, Maj Shaitan Singh's 13 Kumaon which was stationed at Ambala was moved to J&K.
Battle of Rezang La (Indo-China War) : 18 Nov 1962
In June 1962, Maj Shaitan Singh's 13 Kumaon battalion under the command of Lt Col HS Dhingra was moved from Ambala to Baramulla in J&K. In Sep 1962, when the war clouds with China were on the horizon, the battalion was asked to move to Leh at short notice. The 13 Kumaon battalion was put under the operational control of 114 Infantry Brigade under the command of Brigadier TN Raina(Who later became COAS). 114 Infantry Brigade was given the responsibility of defending about 400 km of the Indo-China border including the Chushul area. Besides 13 Kumaon, 114 Inf Bde had four other battalions under its command including 14 J&K Militia, 7 J&K Militia, 5 Jat, and 1/8 Gorkha Rifles. Maj Shaitan Singh at that time was functioning as a 'Company Commander' of Charlie company and also as 'Quarter Master' of the battalion. Besides Maj Shaitan Singh, the CO Lt Col HS Dhingra had Maj GN Sinha(As his Second-in-Command), Capt RV Jatar, Capt Hari Singh Chauhan, Capt Prem Singh, and Capt DD Saklani(Adjutant) as his staff officers. As per the operational plan of 114 Inf Bde, the 'C' company of 13 Kumaon was deployed at Rezang La. 'Alpha' company under the command of Maj GN Sinha was the battalion reserve at the battalion HQs on high ground near Chushul. The 'Bravo' and 'Delta' companies were deployed on Maggar Hill between Spanggur Gap and Rezang La Pass under the command of Capt RV Jatar. By 26 Oct 1962, Maj Shaitan Singh's 'Charlie' company had settled in and was busy strengthening their defences.
Maj Shaitan Singh assessed the threat scenario and deployed his platoons as per operational requirements keeping in view the available manpower and weapon resources. Based on the terrain and threat perception, he deployed his platoon no 7, 8, and 9 in such a way as to have optimum tactical advantage. He placed his men on the forward slopes of the hill- no 7 platoon under Jem Surja Ram on the north flank; no 8 platoon under Jem Hari Ram in the pass area; and the central post was held by no 9 platoon under Jem Ram Chander, with the company HQ next to it. The mortar section under Naik Ram Kumar Yadav was on the reverse slope. Maj Shaitan Singh's three platoon commanders, Jem Hari Ram, Jem Surja Ram, and Jem Ram Chander were experienced JCOs and and had tremendous respect for him. The Chinese offensive in this sector commenced on November 18th, coinciding with the attack on Sela in the Northeast Frontier Agency (NEFA). A two-pronged assault was launched against the Chushul defences. The northern prong targeted Gurung Hill, while the second prong attacked the Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon, also known as the Ahir Company, at Rezang La. Rezang La was an isolated feature situated approximately 11 kilometers south of Spanggur Gap and dominated the lifeline of the Chushul garrison - the road connecting Leh via Dungti.
On November 18, 1962, Chinese forces approached the Indian position through the ravines leading up to the hilltop. The first wave of attack was launched from the direction of Platoon 8 at around 2:00 AM by a column of enemy soldiers. It was bravely repelled by the soldiers of Platoon 8 under the command of Jemadar Hari Ram. The second attack was launched at 4:00 AM from the direction of Platoon 7 by another column of enemy soldiers. Jemadar Surja Ram swiftly redeployed his 'Section-Three' to the planned alternate location to engage the enemy. 'Section-Three,' under the command of Naik Sahi Ram, counterattacked the enemy with light machine guns, rifles, and grenades. Jemadar Surja Ram and his platoon, aided significantly by Naik Sahi Ram's section, successfully repelled the second enemy attack. The pattern continued with the enemy launching attacks at regular intervals with increasing intensity. The third, fourth, and fifth Chinese attacks were launched at 4:55 AM, 6:00 AM, and 6:30 AM, respectively. Major Shaitan Singh and his troops 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.
Major Shaitan Singh reviewed the operational situation and decided to retake Platoon 7's position with the available manpower and equipment to thwart the enemy's further advance. However, when Major Shaitan Singh and the soldiers accompanying him were 400 yards from the company HQ, an unseen medium machine gun (MMG) cut through their column. Major Shaitan Singh was hit by a burst of MMG fire in his abdomen. Out of twenty-eight men, only five survived the targeted attack of the enemy's MMG. The seventh wave of enemy attack came at 9:00 AM. By this time, Major Shaitan Singh was incapacitated by wounds to his arms and abdomen, and when his troops attempted to rescue him, they were met with intense machine-gun fire. Major Shaitan Singh, recognizing the danger to his soldiers, instructed CHM Harphul Singh and four other soldiers to abandon him and prioritize their own safety. He gave his personal pistol to Sepoy Mamchand of Platoon 9, who was with them, to deposit it with the battalion quartermaster so that it would not fall into enemy hands. The soldiers, with tears in their eyes, helped Major Shaitan Singh rest against a boulder before reluctantly leaving him.
The greatest disadvantage of Rezang La was that it was crested to Indian artillery fire and could not get any artillery support because of the ridges around it. Despite facing formidable challenges posed by the climate, terrain, and weaponry, Major Shaitan Singh and 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. Throughout the fierce battle, Major Shaitan Singh exhibited exceptional bravery, moving from one platoon post to another to bolster morale, even at great personal risk. Inspired by his fearless example, his troops fought gallantly, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Maj Shaitan Singh and his soldiers displayed incredible courage and fought like men possessed braving seven waves of Chinese attacks. The enemy suffered four or five casualties for every one of ours. Maj Shaitan Singh and his gallant soldiers 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, which meant it was disputed and not to be occupied by either country. Maj Shaitan Singh and his men lay frozen there until a shepherd discovered their bodies nearly three months later. The body of Maj Shaitan Singh was found in the same place behind the boulder, after three months in that snow-clad region. It was flown to Jodhpur and cremated with full military honours. Of the 124 soldiers of the 'Charlie' company deployed at Rezang La 114 made the supreme sacrifice. Five of them were taken prisoners of war of whom one died in custody. The three platoon commanders, Jem Hari Ram, Jem Surja Ram, and Jem Ram Chander were awarded "Vir Chakra". Naik Ram Kumar, the section commander of the 3-inch mortar post, Naik Gulab Singh and Lance Naik Singh Ram of platoon 7, and Naik Hukam Chand and Sep Dharampal Dahiya(Nursing Assistant) of platoon 8 were awarded "Vir Chakra" too. Maj Shaitan Singh was awarded "Param Vir Chakra", the highest wartime gallantry medal, for his unfaltering courage, leadership, and exemplary devotion to duty.
Maj Shaitan Singh is survived by his son Shri Narpat Singh settled in Jodhpur.
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Rakesh Rudani
2024 at 3:21 pmI salute you sir
Jai hind sir
Divya Nair
2024 at 3:21 pmI salute you. Jai Hind
HCaptain Bhupinder
2024 at 3:21 pmA very brave soldier. His legend lives on to this day, inspiring hundreds of men in the Indian Army especially in Haryana to this day.
Dipen oza
2024 at 4:30 pmI salute you sir. Thank you for protecting us.jai hind …..
Phoola Handu
2024 at 8:18 pmOur salute to this brave heart son of India.The whole nation will remain indebted to you.You are and shall remain an inspiration to all the young men and women of India.
JAI HIND.
Vanita Singh
2024 at 8:18 pmMy commemorative release “REZANG LA REVISITED”, an instrumental march and a ballad, pays tribute to the incredibly heroic Major Shaitan Singh and the 13 Kumaon Battalion in the Battle of Rezang La, November 18 1962. Sharing the links:
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/4cy3qqOVSuVXwNKVq0MDgq
YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nhsnnN07aRk8cS2AibAVhOab0fy7290cM&si=3ofmU–DG2wFUpJz