What I am going to narrate here is a veridical account of an unparalleled last stand in the 1962 Indo China war that forced Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai to announce unilateral ceasefire.
This is a testimony to the fact that China and the PLA understand only the language of force.
This is a testimony to the fact that China and the PLA understand only the language of force.
It was 18th November 1962. China had captured Aksai Chin and was looking to capture the whole of #Ladakh. To capture Ladakh, the PLA had to cutoff the Chushul airfield that was critical to Indian supplies.
PLA had started believing it had defeated the spirit of the Indian Army.
PLA had started believing it had defeated the spirit of the Indian Army.
With a force of 6000 troops and heavy artillery guns the PLA moved to capture Chushul. On the gate of Chushul at Rezang La (5000 metres above see level) were standing 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company of 13th Kumaon led by Major Shaitan Singh, PVC .
Shaitan Singh and his men didn't have artillery support because of an intervening crest on our side.
The Charlie Company was 120.
The PLA were 6000.
The Charlie Company was outnumbered 1:50.
The PLA attacked in 4 rounds of 500-600 soldiers in each round.
The Charlie Company was 120.
The PLA were 6000.
The Charlie Company was outnumbered 1:50.
The PLA attacked in 4 rounds of 500-600 soldiers in each round.
What followed was an act of collective bravery of the Charlie company and self sacrifice of Indian soldiers that has no parallels in modern world.
The first round of PLA soldiers came at pre dawn in the snowy mountains of Rezang La. They were repulsed.
Then came another round.
The first round of PLA soldiers came at pre dawn in the snowy mountains of Rezang La. They were repulsed.
Then came another round.
The PLA came in four rounds and they were repulsed everytime.
The Charlie Company made the ultimate last stand.
They fought till last man and last round.
During the last round of PLA attack when they ran out of bullets , they fought with their bare hands and rifle butts.
The Charlie Company made the ultimate last stand.
They fought till last man and last round.
During the last round of PLA attack when they ran out of bullets , they fought with their bare hands and rifle butts.
When the fighting ceased after 12 hours, 114 of the 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company had made the ultimate sacrifice.
More than 1300 PLA soldiers lay dead on high mountains of Rezang La.
The PLA fled away. Chushul was saved. #Ladakh was saved.
More than 1300 PLA soldiers lay dead on high mountains of Rezang La.
The PLA fled away. Chushul was saved. #Ladakh was saved.
The number of PLA soldiers killed on 18th Nov 1962 was more than the PLA soldiers killed in the entire 1962 Indo China war till then.
Two days later, in the morning of 21st November 1962, Mao Zedong declared unilateral ceasefire.
Two days later, in the morning of 21st November 1962, Mao Zedong declared unilateral ceasefire.
There are few examples of such valour in the annals of modern world military history when braving such heavy odds, the men fought till the last bullet and the last man.
Certainly, the Battle of Rezang La was a glorious example.
Major Shaitan Singh was awarded PVC posthumously.
Certainly, the Battle of Rezang La was a glorious example.
Major Shaitan Singh was awarded PVC posthumously.
Maj Gen Cardozo, in his book 'Param Vir, Our Heroes in Battle' writes:
"When Rezang La was revisited dead jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons...every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullets or splinter wounds."
"When Rezang La was revisited dead jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons...every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullets or splinter wounds."
Peace is indeed important. Peace has to be the primary objective at all costs. With peace comes prosperity and development. With war comes destruction.Families are ruined.
But peace can not be maintained at the cost of lives of our soldiers, our honour and territorial integrity.
But peace can not be maintained at the cost of lives of our soldiers, our honour and territorial integrity.
It needs to be reminded to the PLA at the same time that 2020 is not 1962.
If you give us a war this time, you will lose it. We are prepared.
Indian armed forces will give PLA a good bloody nose. Forget not the 1967 Nathu La clash when we sent 300+ of your soldiers in coffins .
If you give us a war this time, you will lose it. We are prepared.
Indian armed forces will give PLA a good bloody nose. Forget not the 1967 Nathu La clash when we sent 300+ of your soldiers in coffins .
