Major Shaitan Singh PVC

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. 

The citation for the "Param Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:

Major Shaitan Singh was commanding a company of an infantry battalion deployed at Rezang La in the Chushul sector at a height of about 17,000 feet. The locality was isolated from the main defended sector and consisted of five platoon-defended position. On 18 November 1962, the Chinese forces subjected the company position to heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire and attacked it in overwhelming strength in several successive waves. Against heavy odds, our troops beat back successive waves of enemy attack. During the action, Major Shaitan Singh dominated the scene of operations and moved at great personal risk from one platoon post to another sustaining the morale of his hard-pressed platoon posts. While doing so he was seriously wounded but continued to encourage and lead his men, who, following his brave example fought gallantly and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. For every man lost to us, the enemy lost four or five. When Major Shaitan Singh fell disabled by wounds in his arms and abdomen, his men tried to evacuate him but they came under heavy machine-gun fire. Major Shaitan Singh then ordered his men to leave him to his fate in order to save their lives.

Major Shaitan Singh’s supreme courage, leadership and exemplary devotion to duty inspired his company to fight almost to the last man.

• The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), named fifteen of her Crude Oil Tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. There was a crude oil tanker named MT “Major Shaitan Singh, PVC”. The tanker MT "Major Shaitan Singh, PVC" was delivered to SCI in 1985, and served for 25 years before being phased out.
• A memorial called, "The Rezang La War Memorial-Ahir Dham" has been erected at Chushul in Ladakh in the memory of Major Shaitan Singh and his 114 gallant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. 
• A memorial has been made at Rewari in Haryana in the memory of Major Shaitan Singh and other martyrs of 13 Kumaon who laid down their lives in the "Battle of Rezang La". 
• A memorial has been erected at Gurugram in Haryana in the memory of Major Shaitan Singh and other fallen heroes of 13 Kumaon who laid down their lives in the "Battle of Rezang La".
• A movie starring Shehzaad Khan as Major Shaitan Singh and directed by Pankaj Sehgal was released in 2017. 
• Another movie called "120 Bahadur" is being made that will showcase the 'Battle of Rezang La' and the 1962 Indo-China war. Farhan Akhtar will be portraying the role of Major Shaitan Singh PVC in the film. 

• Appropriately the plaque at the memorial of Rezang La says: –

       “How can a man die better

        than facing fearful odds.

        For the ashes of his fathers,

        and the temple of his Gods”

These lines are from Lord Macaulay's book of poems called 'Lays of Ancient Rome'. These were personally chosen by Lt Col HS Dhingra, the battalion commander of 13 Kumaon during the 'Battle of Rezang La'.