Sepoy Parbhati

Sepoy Parbhati hailed from Manola village in Mahendragarh district of Haryana—a region renowned for its strong military heritage and unwavering dedication to national service. Motivated by a deep sense of patriotism, he joined the 13 Kumaon Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, one of the oldest and most esteemed infantry regiments of the Indian Army. With its origins tracing back to the 18th century, the Kumaon Regiment has earned a stellar reputation for its bravery, professionalism, and gallant service in numerous operations.

As a soldier, Sepoy Parbhati exemplified dedication, discipline, and an unshakeable commitment to duty. He wore the Kumaoni uniform with great pride and upheld the rich values and traditions of his battalion with sincerity. By 1962, his unit had been stationed in Ambala and was subsequently deployed to Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting the high degree of trust placed in their operational readiness and effectiveness.

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

In June 1962, Sepoy Parbhati’s unit, the 13 Kumaon Battalion, under the command of Lt Col H.S. Dhingra, was moved from Ambala to Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir. By September, as tensions with China escalated sharply, the battalion received orders to relocate at short notice to Leh. Upon arrival, 13 Kumaon was placed under the operational command of the 114th Infantry Brigade, led by Brigadier T.N. Raina (who would later serve as the Chief of Army Staff). The brigade was responsible for defending nearly 400 kilometers of the Indo-China border, including the strategically vital Chushul sector. The 114 Infantry Brigade comprised five battalions: 13 Kumaon, 14 J&K Militia, 7 J&K Militia, 5 Jat, and 1/8 Gorkha Rifles. Sepoy Parbhati belonged to ‘C’ (Charlie) Company of 13 Kumaon, commanded by Major Shaitan Singh. According to the brigade’s operational deployment plan, Charlie Company was positioned at Rezang La, a mountain pass critical for the defense of Chushul. Alpha Company, led by Major G.N. Sinha, served as the battalion reserve and was stationed near the battalion headquarters on high ground close to Chushul. Bravo and Delta Companies, under Capt R.V. Jatar, were deployed along Maggar Hill between Spanggur Gap and Rezang La.

By 26 October 1962, Sepoy Parbhati and his fellow soldiers had fully fortified their positions at Rezang La. The company’s deployment was based on tactical terrain assessments. Three platoons—7, 8, and 9—were located on forward slopes: Platoon 7, under Jemadar Surja Ram, held the northern flank; Platoon 8, commanded by Jemadar Hari Ram, was positioned near the pass; and Platoon 9, under Jemadar Ram Chander, manned the central area close to Company HQ. A mortar section led by Naik Ram Kumar Yadav was strategically placed on the reverse slope. On 18 November 1962, the Chinese launched a massive two-pronged attack—one aimed at Gurung Hill, and the other at Rezang La. This offensive coincided with the Chinese assault on Sela in the Northeast Frontier Agency (now Arunachal Pradesh). Rezang La, located about 11 km south of Spanggur Gap, held critical importance as it dominated the only road connecting Leh via Dungti—the lifeline for the Chushul garrison. The first Chinese assault came at around 2:00 AM from the direction of Platoon 8. A group of about 30 enemy soldiers was detected by the platoon’s Listening Post (LP). Section-1 commander Naik Hukam Chand immediately alerted Jemadar Hari Ram, who in turn informed Major Shaitan Singh and directed a Light Machine Gun (LMG) detachment to intercept. As the enemy closed in to within 50 yards, Naik Hukam Chand gave the order to fire, successfully repelling the first wave.

At 4:00 AM, a second assault was launched from the direction of Platoon 7. Jemadar Surja Ram swiftly repositioned Section-Three and engaged the enemy with coordinated fire using rifles, LMGs, and grenades. Thanks to the effective leadership of Jemadar Surja Ram and the bravery of Naik Sahi Ram’s men, this attack too was beaten back. The Chinese forces, however, continued their offensive with increasing ferocity. The third, fourth, and fifth attacks were launched at 4:55 AM, 6:00 AM, and 6:30 AM, respectively, each met with fierce resistance by the defenders of Rezang La.

Despite mounting casualties and dwindling supplies, Sepoy Parbhati and his comrades held their ground. By the time of the sixth attack at 7:40 AM, the defenders had suffered significant losses. For the first time, the Chinese introduced a 57 mm recoilless rifle at 8:40 AM, placing it in full view on a nearby ridge. The seventh and final wave came at 9:00 AM. In the face of relentless enemy assaults, freezing temperatures, and superior weaponry, Sepoy Parbhati and the soldiers of Charlie Company displayed unmatched courage and tenacity. Despite being severely wounded during the firefight, Sepoy Parbhati continued to resist until he succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice for the nation. The company fought to the last man and last bullet, ensuring that the Chinese advance towards the strategically vital Chushul airfield was halted.

Following the ceasefire, Rezang La fell into a disputed no-man’s land. It was not until nearly three months later that the bodies of Sepoy Parbhati and his fellow soldiers, frozen in their fighting positions, were discovered by a local shepherd—a haunting testament to their unmatched valour and sacrifice.

Sepoy Parbhati is survived by his wife, Smt Gindri Devi.