Shaitan Singh Bhati | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Shaitan Singh Bhati | |
| Born | 1 December 1924 Jodhpur State, Rajputana, British India |
| Died | 18 November 1962 (aged 37) Rezang La, Union Territory of Ladakh |
| Allegiance |  Republic of India |
| Service |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1949–1962 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Service number | IC-6400[1] |
| Unit | .svg){kind=small} 13 Kumaon |
| Battles / wars | Ethnic conflict in Nagaland 1961 Indian annexation of Goa Sino-Indian War |
| Awards |  Param Vir Chakra |
| Spouse(s) | Shagun Kanwar[2] |
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC (1 December 1924 – 18 November 1962) was an Indian Army officer and recipient of India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra. Singh was born in Rajasthan. On completing his graduation, Singh joined the Jodhpur State Forces. He was transferred to the Kumaon Regiment after the princely state of Jodhpur was merged into India. He took part in operations in the Naga Hills and also in the 1961 Indian annexation of Goa.
During the Sino-Indian War, 13th Battalion of Kumaon Regiment was stationed in the Chushul sector. C Company, under the command of Singh, was holding a position at Rezang La. In the morning hours of 18 November 1962, the Chinese attacked. After several unsuccessful attacks from the front, the Chinese attacked from the rear. The Indians fought until their last rounds, before eventually being overpowered by the Chinese. During the battle, Singh continuously moved from post to post reorganizing the defences and boosting the morale of his men. As he moved between the posts without any cover, he was seriously wounded, and later succumbed to his injuries. For his actions on 18 November 1962, Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
- ^ Chakravorty 1995, p. 73.
- ^ "Major Shaitan Singh's widow dies". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2017.