Page 6 - ch 17

Module - V Sino-Indian War - 1962

Major Wars Post
13 Kumaon Rezang La is a mountain pass on the south-eastern approach to Chushul
Independence
Valley in Ladakh, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is approx. 3,000
meters long and 2,000 meters wide, with an average height of 16,000 feet. La means
a mountain pass in Tibetan language. The Chinese attacked Rezang La at 5am on
18 November 1962. A Company of 13 KUMAON led by Major Shaitan Singh
defended the post with 123 men. The Chinese attacked with hundreds of soldiers, but
our jawans opened accurate fire and killed many of them. A second attack was launched
Note
at 5.40 am by 350 soldiers. They were also beaten back and many died. Repeated
attacks from the rear of the defences left many dead and wounded on both sides. The
Kumaon fought so well that 114 men died out of the 123 in that post. Major Shaitan
Singh was awarded the highest gallantry award of Param Vir Chakra (Posthumously).
A memorial has been built in Chushul in honour of the brave soldiers.

17.3.2 The Eastern
Sector

In Assam, the Chinese
forces attacked Thag La
on 20 October and
Walong on 21 October
1962. With their large
number of troops and
heavy artillery firing, they
could capture Thag La
and portions of Walong.
Indian army was ill
equipped and forced
shortage of troops. The
Chinese made an offer
to negotiate a ceasefire
on 24th October, the
fourth day of fighting
itself, if both sides
withdrew equal
distances from the
current line-of-control.
India refused. See Map
17.4 to get an idea of
the places where the
Chinese attacked in
Assam (now Arunachal
Pradesh).

Map 17.4: Eastern Sector
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MILITARY HISTORY