Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment on August 1, 1949. He showed his bravery in the 1962 India-China war. Ladakh was attacked by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China with a large amount of ammunition and cannon. A 13 Kumaon contingent led by Major Shaitan Singh was stationed in the Chushul valley. The Indian Army contingent had only 120 personnel, while on the other side was a large force of the enemy. Major Shaitan Singh led from the front and his contingent killed 1300 Chinese soldiers. Out of 123, 114 Indian Army soldiers were martyred. Major Shaitan Singh was one of them. The remaining 9 soldiers were taken captive by Chinese Army. The Chinese army also had to bow to this bravery of Indian soldiers and finally announced a ceasefire on 21 November. For Major Shaitan Singh Bhati’s bravery, the government posthumously honored him with Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award in the country. His bravery is still a glorious part of the history of the Indian Army.
