subject: Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Major Shaitan Singh [print this page] Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Major Shaitan Singh
Major Shaitan Singh was born on 1st December 1924 at Jodhpur in Rajasthan. He was commissioned in the Kumaon Regiment on August 1st 1949.
In 1962 a dispute got erupted between India and china over aksai chin. Chushul is a small village in a narrow sandy valley at 14,230 feet. Its 25 miles long and 4 miles wide, flanked by mountains that rise to over 19,000 feet. Its 15 miles from the border and with an all weather landing strip that was critical to the defense of Ladakh. Major Shaitan Singh was aware of the importance of this sector.
On the southeastern approach to Chushul Valley is a pass called Rezang La .
at an average height of 16,000 feet the feature was 3000 yards long and 2000 yards wide.
In 1962 during the indo-china conflict the 13 Kumaon regiment was deployed at the Chushul sector. The 'C' Company of 13 Kumaon regiment was commanded by Major Shaitan Singh. The platoons were numbered 7, 8 and 9 in 'C' Company. They had about 303 rifles with 600 rounds per head, there were six LMGs between them and 1,000 grenades and mortar bombs.
At a height of 5000 meters at Rezang La Major Shaitan Singh, held a crucial position
While leading the 'C' Company. The three platoons defended the company area from three positions while isolated the surrounding territory from the rest of the battalion. On the morning of 18th of November the much-waited Chinese attack on Rezang La came.
The snow was falling that night, it was the end of a chilling winter night. The cold icy wind was blowing through Rezang La. The cold weather was not the only problem the Indian troops faced their Rezang La was crested to our artillery. which meant that they had to manage without the protection from the big guns.
The Chinese forces were seen moving through nullahs in the morning dim light. They were advancing towards the 7 and 8 number platoon positions.
The Indian troops took their positions to counter the Chinese forces. The India attack started at 0500 hours when the visibility improved a bit. Both the 7 and 8 number platoons opened fire at the advancing Chinese troops with rifles , grenades, LMG and mortars. Even though the artillery was not used the Indian troops caused heavy casualties on Chinese. In spite of the Chinese defeat in the first frontal attack they were not discouraged. At 0540 hours the Chinese troops showered Indian positions with heavy artillery and mortar fire. Soon after that 350 Chinese soldiers attacked through nullahs. The 9 number platoon waited for the enemy to come to ninety-meter distance and then showered them with all the weapons they had with them. Within a short span of time the entire nullahs was full of Chinese dead bodies.
After being defeated twice in frontal attack the Chinese troops decided to attack from the rear side . around 400 Chinese troops attacked. Simultaneously they opened heavy MMG fire on 8 number platoon. the Indian troops restricted the attack to the barbed wire fence near the post. The Chinese then resorted to heavy artillery and mortar shelling. An assault group of 120 Chinese also charged No.7 Platoon position from the rear. However the three-inch mortar proved very effective on the Chinese, causing heavy causality.
When twenty surviving Chinese soldiers attacked the post, a dozen Indian troops rushed out of their trenches to fight them in hand-to-hand combat. In the mean time, the Chinese brought reinforcements. The encirclement of No.7 Platoon was now complete. The platoon, however, fought valiantly till there was no survivor. No.8 Platoon also fought bravely to the last round.
Company commander Major Shaitan Singh showed exemplary courage and leadership in the battle for Tezang La. According to all the eyewitness account he commanded his troops admirably. He risked his own life to go from one platoon post to another motivating his troops to fight. He also got seriously injured during this by a Chinese sniper. But he continued fighting along side his men. When is was being evacuated by two of his men the Chinese brought heavy machine gun fire on them. Major Singh sensing the danger ordered his men to leave him there. They placed him behind a boulder on a hill slop, where is took his last breath.
The China announced a unilateral ceasefire on November 21, 1962.
109 Kumaonis out of 123 were killed in this action. Among the 14 survivors, 9 were severely injured. The causality on the Chinese side crossed a thousand. After the war Major Singh's body was found at the same place. He died from the freezing cold and the bullet wounds. His body was flown to Jodhpur where he was cremated with full military honor. Major Shaitan Singh was awarded , the highest wartime gallantry medal awarded Param Vir Chakra, posthumously, for his exemplary leadership, courage and devotion to duty.
