Shaurya saga: When 120 braves killed 1300 Chinese, Shaitan Singh fought till his last breath with a torn stomach

Rezang La India China War 1962 Major Shaitan Singh Story: That day, the snow of Rezang La was red not just with blood but also with immortal valor. The story of Major Shaitan Singh and his 120 brave soldiers proves that courage wins, not numbers.

Major Shaitan Singh and 120 Bahadur: That morning, which became immortal? The date was- 18 November 1962. Place- Rejang La of Ladakh. Altitude of about 16,000 feet. Temperature in minus. And snow like white death all around. On this front, Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon Regiment was deployed, which was commanded by Major Shaitan Singh. It must have been around 5 in the morning. Indian soldiers posted at post number 7, 8 and 9 saw that Chinese soldiers were advancing through the drains. Without wasting time, firing started from machine guns and rifles. The first wave of Chinese army was destroyed. But they did not stop.

At 5:40 the enemy began artillery and mortar bombardment. Amidst a hail of bullets, a snowstorm and deafening explosions, Major Shaian Singh kept running from post to post, encouraging the soldiers.

To the last bullet and to the last man

Brigadier Teen Raina's order was- 'We have to fight till the last bullet and the last man.' The Major followed it literally. While fighting, the enemy's bullet hit his hand on one front, then his stomach. His intestines came out of his stomach, but he did not give up the fight. Subedar Ramchander Yadav tried to take him back, but the Major said- 'Leave me here, the rest of the soldiers should keep fighting.'

In an interview, Ramchander Yadav had told that he had brought his injured Major down for 1 kilometer holding him close to his chest. After coming down, when he checked the condition of the Major, he came to know that Major Shaitan Singh had died due to his injuries at 8.15 in the morning. Covered in blood, with his entrails torn, the Major stood firm till his last breath.

Small in number, immense in courage

In this war, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, along with his 120 brave soldiers, not only faced 2000 Chinese soldiers bravely but also defeated them. Despite severe cold, difficult conditions and large numbers of the enemy, these brave soldiers fought till their last breath and sacrificed their lives for the motherland. 120 Indian soldiers vs more than 2000 Chinese soldiers. Neither advanced weapons, nor landmines, nor radios were working. Still, these brave soldiers killed 1300 Chinese soldiers. 114 Indian soldiers were martyred, only 6 survived. Later, China declared ceasefire.

Param Vir Chakra and immortal story

Major Shaitan Singh's body was found three months later behind the same rock where he was left. In 1963, Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. His statue still stands proudly in Jodhpur. The Shahid Smarak at Rejang La bears testimony to his bravery.

Courage was in the blood

Born on 1 December 1924 in a Rajput family of Jodhpur, Shaitan Singh had bravery in his blood. His father, Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singh, had served in France in the First World War and was awarded the 'Order of the British Empire'. Shaitan Singh, who had learned the lessons of bravery since childhood, completed his studies and joined the Jodhpur State Force in 1949 and later became a part of the Kumaon Regiment.

Film on the life of Major Shaitan Singh

A film named 120 Bahadur is going to be released on Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the hero of the 1962 Rezang La war. The teaser of the film was released on 5 August. Farhan Akhtar is playing the role of Major in it.

The story of Major Shaitan Singh and his 120 brave soldiers proves that courage wins, not numbers. Their story teaches us that when the intentions are strong and there is love for the motherland in the heart, even the impossible becomes possible. That day, the snow of Rejang La was red not just with blood, but also with immortal bravery.

PC:NDTVINDIA