Sepoy Suraj Bhan

Sepoy Suraj Bhan hailed from Kanwali village in Rewari district of Haryana, a region celebrated for its rich martial heritage and enduring tradition of service to the nation. Raised in an environment where patriotism and duty were held in the highest regard, he was inspired from an early age to serve the country. Guided by this deep sense of commitment, he enlisted in the Indian Army and was inducted into the 13 Kumaon Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment—one of the Army’s oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments. Established in the 18th century, the Kumaon Regiment has earned a distinguished reputation for its courage, discipline, and exemplary service across numerous operations in some of the most challenging terrains. He was married to Mrs. Kalawati.

In service, Sepoy Suraj Bhan exemplified the finest qualities of a soldier—sincerity, discipline, and unwavering dedication to duty. He wore the insignia of the Kumaon Regiment with pride and consistently upheld the highest traditions, values, and ethos of his battalion. By 1962, his unit was stationed at Ambala and was subsequently deployed to Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting the confidence placed in the battalion’s operational readiness, reliability, and fighting spirit during a period of increasing tension along the nation’s borders.

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

In mid-1962, the 13 Kumaon Battalion, commanded by Lt Col H.S. Dhingra, was shifted from its base at Ambala to Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir as part of a strategic redeployment. With the situation along the northern borders deteriorating rapidly, the battalion was ordered in September to move to Leh at extremely short notice. On reaching Ladakh, it was placed under the operational command of the 114 Infantry Brigade, led by Brigadier T.N. Raina—who would later become the Chief of the Army Staff. The brigade was tasked with securing an extensive stretch of nearly 400 kilometres along the Indo–China frontier, including the crucial Chushul sector. Alongside 13 Kumaon, the formation included 14 J&K Militia, 7 J&K Militia, 5 Jat, and 1/8 Gorkha Rifles. Sepoy Suraj Bhan was part of ‘C’ (Charlie) Company under Major Shaitan Singh. As per the defensive layout, Charlie Company was entrusted with holding the vital Rezang La pass, while ‘A’ Company under Major G.N. Sinha was retained as reserve near the battalion headquarters at Chushul. ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies, led by Captain R.V. Jatar, were deployed on Maggar Hill to reinforce the defensive grid between Spanggur Gap and Rezang La. By late October 1962, the troops at Rezang La had firmly established and strengthened their defensive positions in anticipation of an imminent attack.

The defensive deployment at Rezang La was carefully structured to maximise the advantage of the rugged terrain. Platoons 7, 8, and 9 were positioned along the forward slopes—Platoon 7 under Jemadar Surja Ram secured the northern flank, Platoon 8 led by Jemadar Hari Ram held the approach to the pass, and Platoon 9 under Jemadar Ram Chander occupied the central position alongside Company Headquarters. A mortar section under Naik Ram Kumar Yadav was deployed on the reverse slope to provide vital fire support. On 18 November 1962, Chinese forces launched a major offensive in the sector, coinciding with attacks at Sela in NEFA. The assault was carried out in two directions—one towards Gurung Hill and the other directly against the positions at Rezang La. Situated about 11 kilometres south of Spanggur Gap, Rezang La commanded the vital route linking Leh through Dungti, making it critical to the defence of the Chushul garrison.

The first wave of the attack began around 2:00 AM, advancing towards the sector held by Platoon 8. Alerted by a listening post, Naik Hukam Chand quickly informed Jemadar Hari Ram, who in turn alerted Major Shaitan Singh. Acting swiftly, the defenders brought a Light Machine Gun detachment into action. As the enemy closed to within close range, precise and intense fire forced them to retreat, repulsing the initial assault. A second attack followed at approximately 4:00 AM from the direction of Platoon 7. Jemadar Surja Ram responded by repositioning his men and launching a determined counterattack with rifles, grenades, and light machine guns. Supported by the courageous efforts of Naik Sahi Ram and his section, this assault too was successfully repelled. However, the enemy continued to press forward, launching repeated attacks at 4:55 AM, 6:00 AM, and 6:30 AM. Despite sustaining casualties and damage to equipment, Sepoy Suraj Bhan and his comrades stood firm, refusing to yield ground.

By the time the sixth wave was launched at around 7:40 AM, the defenders had suffered heavy losses. At approximately 8:40 AM, the enemy introduced a 57 mm recoilless gun from a nearby ridge, intensifying the engagement. The final assault followed at about 9:00 AM. In the face of overwhelming odds, severe cold, and relentless enemy firepower, Sepoy Suraj Bhan and the soldiers of Charlie Company displayed exceptional courage and determination. During the fierce battle, Sepoy Suraj Bhan sustained grievous injuries and laid down his life in the line of duty. The company continued to fight to the last man and the last round, successfully preventing the enemy from advancing towards the strategically vital Chushul airfield.

After the ceasefire, Rezang La remained a desolate and contested no-man’s land. Nearly three months later, the frozen bodies of Sepoy Suraj Bhan and his fellow soldiers were discovered by a local shepherd, still in their battle positions—an enduring symbol of their extraordinary bravery and supreme sacrifice. Their heroic stand at Rezang La continues to be remembered as one of the finest examples of courage and devotion in the history of the Indian Army.

Sepoy Suraj Bhan is survived by his wife, Smt. Kalawati.