Sepoy Raghunath

Sepoy Raghunath hailed from Pahdalgarh village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district—an area steeped in a proud legacy of courage and patriotism. Motivated by a deep sense of duty to the nation, he joined the Indian Army and was inducted into the legendary 13 Kumaon Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment. Renowned as one of the Indian Army’s most distinguished and battle-hardened infantry units, the Kumaon Regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has earned acclaim for its exemplary service in numerous military operations.

Throughout his military service, Sepoy Raghunath embodied the ideals of discipline, dedication, and selfless service. He wore the uniform with honour, upholding the rich traditions of the regiment and standing as a testament to its unwavering spirit and high standards.

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

In June 1962, Sepoy Raghunath’s unit—the 13 Kumaon Battalion—was redeployed from Ambala to Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir under the command of Lt Col H.S. Dhingra. As tensions with China escalated later that year, the battalion received urgent orders in September to move to Leh. Upon arrival, the unit came under the operational control of the 114th Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier T.N. Raina—who would later rise to become the Chief of Army Staff. Tasked with defending a vast and strategically critical 400-kilometer stretch of the Indo-China border, including the vital Chushul sector, the brigade comprised several distinguished units: 14 and 7 J&K Militia, 5 Jat, 1/8 Gorkha Rifles, and 13 Kumaon. Sepoy Raghunath served in ‘C’ Company of 13 Kumaon, led by the legendary Major Shaitan Singh. As part of the defensive strategy, ‘C’ Company was deployed at Rezang La, a high-altitude mountain pass. Other companies were stationed at key tactical positions—‘A’ Company near the battalion HQ in Chushul, and ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies at Maggar Hill.

By 26 October 1962, Sepoy Raghunath and his fellow soldiers had established fortified positions at Rezang La in preparation for an anticipated Chinese offensive. Strategically positioned along the forward slopes, ‘C’ Company’s platoons covered critical access routes: Platoon 7, under Jemadar Surja Ram, guarded the northern flank; Platoon 8, led by Jemadar Hari Ram, secured the mountain pass; and Platoon 9, along with Company Headquarters, was commanded by Jemadar Ram Chander. A mortar section led by Naik Ram Kumar Yadav was positioned on the reverse slope to provide support. The Chinese offensive began on 18 November 1962, in coordination with broader assaults across the NEFA region. Rezang La, guarding the approach to the Chushul airfield, was attacked in a two-pronged assault—one toward Gurung Hill and the other directly at ‘C’ Company’s position.

The first wave of Chinese troops advanced at 2:00 AM, approaching Platoon 8’s position. Their movement was detected by a forward Listening Post, and Naik Hukam Chand immediately alerted Jemadar Hari Ram, who ordered an immediate counteroffensive. As the enemy closed to within 50 yards, Indian soldiers opened fire, successfully repelling the first attack. By 4:00 AM, a second wave approached from the direction of Platoon 7. Despite being outnumbered, Jemadar Surja Ram and Naik Sahi Ram led a resolute defense using rifles, grenades, and light machine guns. The enemy pressed on, launching further attacks at 4:55 AM, 6:00 AM, and 6:30 AM, but Sepoy Raghunath and his comrades stood their ground with extraordinary determination.

By the sixth wave at 7:40 AM, the defenders were depleted and physically exhausted. Then, at 8:40 AM, the Chinese deployed a 57 mm recoilless rifle, indicating preparations for a final, devastating assault. At 9:00 AM, the seventh and final wave began. Amid sub-zero temperatures, rocky terrain, and unrelenting enemy fire, Sepoy Raghunath fought with unwavering courage and dedication. During the brutal engagement, he was gravely wounded but continued to resist until he made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation. The stand at Rezang La proved to be a turning point—not only did it slow the Chinese advance, but it also safeguarded the strategically vital Chushul airfield. After the ceasefire, the area became a disputed no-man’s land. The bodies of Sepoy Raghunath and his fellow soldiers lay buried beneath the snow until they were discovered nearly three months later by a local shepherd—an enduring and solemn testament to their bravery.

Sepoy Raghunath is survived by his wife, Smt. Parvati Devi.