Shaitan Singh

Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC (1 December 1924 – 18 November 1962) was an Indian Army officer and recipient of India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra.

Singh was born in Rajasthan.

On completing his graduation, Singh joined the Jodhpur State Forces.

He was transferred to the Kumaon Regiment after the princely state of Jodhpur was merged into India.

Shaitan Singh was born on 1 December 1924 in a Rajasthani Rajput family of Bhati clan in Banasar village, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan.

His father was Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singh.

Lt. Col. Singh served in France with the Indian Army during World War I, and was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British government.

Singh studied in the Chopasni Senior Secondary School, Jodhpur up to his matriculation.

At school, he was known for his skills as a football player.

After completing his schooling in 1943, Singh went to Jaswant College, and completed his graduation in 1947.

On 1 August 1949, he joined the Jodhpur State Forces as an officer.

After the princely state of Jodhpur was merged into India, Singh was transferred to the Kumaon Regiment.

He was promoted to captain on 25 November 1955, and took part in operations in Naga Hills and also in 1961 Indian annexation of Goa.

He took part in operations in the Naga Hills and also in the 1961 Indian annexation of Goa.

In the morning hours of 18 November 1962, the Chinese attacked.

After several unsuccessful attacks from the front, the Chinese attacked from the rear.

The Indians fought until their last rounds, before eventually being overpowered by the Chinese.

During the battle, Singh continuously moved from post to post reorganizing the defences and boosting the morale of his men.

As he moved between the posts without any cover, he was seriously wounded, and later succumbed to his injuries.

For his actions on 18 November 1962, Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

On 11 June 1962, he was promoted to the rank of major.

There had long been disagreement between India and China over borders in the Himalaya region.

To counter the increasing Chinese intrusions into disputed territory, then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru asked for strategies for dealing with them.

However, the proposal put forward by the Indian Army was rejected.

Instead, he approved a plan proposed by a bureaucrat called the "Forward Policy".

This called for the establishment of a number of small posts facing the Chinese.

Due to the severe rise in public criticism against Chinese intrusions, Nehru implemented the "Forward Policy" against the advice of the army.

The army's concern was that the Chinese had geographical advantage.

Additionally, maintaining numerous small posts would be untenable if the Chinese superior forces attacked.

This was ruled out by Nehru who believed the Chinese would not attack.

But the Chinese did, initiating the Sino-Indian War.

During the war, the 13th Battalion of Kumaon Regiment, Charlie ‘C’ company comprising 123 Ahirs was positioned in Chusul sector, at a height of 5000 m above sea level, the battalion under the command of Singh was holding a position at Rezang La, and the area was defended by five platoon posts.

In the morning hours of 18 November 1962, the Chinese attacked.

Indians prepared for an offensive as they saw the Chinese advancing through nullahs in the dim dawn lighting.

At 5:00am, as platoons got a better sight of the Chinese, they started firing with light machine guns, rifles, mortar, and grenades, killing many Chinese soldiers.

At 5:40am, the Indians were fired upon by artillery and mortar.

Again, around three hundred and fifty Chinese soldiers started to advance through nullahs.

No. 9 Platoon held fire until the Chinese were as close as 90 m, and inflicted heavy casualties.

During the Sino-Indian War, 13th Battalion of Kumaon Regiment was stationed in the Chushul sector.

C Company, under the command of Singh, was holding a position at Rezang La.