Zinda rehne ke mausam bahut hain magar, Jaan dene ki rut roz aati nahi.
Husn aur ishq dono ko ruswa kare, Wo jawani jo khoon me nahati nahi.
Aaj dharti bani hai dulhan saathiyon, Ab tumhare hawale watan saathiyon…
Sino-Indian war was a war between India and China fought from October 20th to November 21st 1962. Disputed border was the main reason for the conflict. The war was fought along the eastern borders of India. 2 major war zones were Askai Chin and line of control along Arunanchal Pradesh.
Events Leading to War: The original boundary of Kashmir state covered whole of Askai Chin region. However, the British had created a Macmohan line which made several parts of Kashmir under China. After independence, India claimed that as Himalayas were the boundary of country in ancient times, so the highest ridges of Himalayas should be used as boundary along the eastern front. However, most of the area was under control of Tibet. When China attacked Tibet and annexed it, all the disputed land came under China. India gave refuge to Tibet’s leader Dalai Lama which enraged China. Also, India laid claim on whole Askai Chin region which enraged China further. Beginning 1961, India started Forward Policy where Indian troops started setting up outposts on disputed regions. However, at the time China was facing military activism from Taiwan. After June 1961, China started sending troops to Tibet to counter the Indian positions.
Chinese Offensive and Beginning of War: It took China more than 8 months to become war ready. Throughout the summer of 1962, there were incidents between both the countries, none of them resulting in war. India also extended its forward policy to include a clause of using force to push back Chinese. Also, Indian troops were allowed to attack in response to provocation as against the earlier policy of attacking only in self-defence.
By October, 1962 China had stockpiled enough ammunition and other supplies to start a full-fledged offensive. They started by attacking both east and west front simultaneously. On the eastern front, they attacked from the south of Namka Chu River on 20th October. Indian troops were anticipating the attack and were guarding all the bridges. However due to shallow water, Chinese successfully crossed the river and surrounded the Indian troops. Heavily outnumbered, Indians lost many men and finally retreated to Burma where Chinese didn’t pursue them.
On the same day, another regiment of Chinese forces attacked western front at Askai Chin. Most of the area was already governed by China and Indian forces were again heavily outnumbered. Though they tried to defend their posts, but Chinese were successful in capturing all the posts.
Continuation of War and Ceasefire: After capturing outposts on both the ends, the Chinese stopped to advance further. Chinese premier sent a letter to Nehru to end the war and restore peace. Nehru also expressed similar desire. But none of the forces retreated. Also neither of the nations used air force or navy. Thus there was a standoff which lasted 20 days.
On 14th November, fighting resumed with Indian attack on Walong to free it. This was followed by Chinese attacks on both the fronts. On eastern front they attacked and captured Se La. On the western front they attacked Gurung Hill. They continued to advance further on this front and reached as far as Tezpur in Assam. The town of Tezpur was evacuated, however the Chinese didn’t advanced further.
On 19th October Chinese declared ceasefire and ask their troops to retreat to 20km back of the line of control that existed as on 7th November 1959. This ended the war with decisive Chinese victory.
War Heroes: This war is notable for the heavy Chinese troops and the difficult terrain on which it was fought. Most of the areas were above 4500mtrs. Also, Indian troops were outnumbered by Chinese 1 to 8. Still our troops displayed exemplary display of courage and valour throughout the war. There were three recipients of Param Veer Chakra, the highest award for wartime gallantry in India.
Major Dhan Singh Thapa: Dhan Singh Thapa was born on 10th June 1928 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. He was commissioned as officer in 8th Gurkha in 1949.
During the Sino-Indian war of 1962, he was posted in Ladhak to defend the Chusul airfield which was an important strategic point. On 20th October, the first day of battle, his post was attacked by Chinese. The Chinese first shelled the post by artillery and mortar fire. Even though heavily outnumbered, he fought valiantly and defended the post. Chinese again shelled it heavily and again attacked. This time also, Major Thapa and his men successfully defended the post. But they suffered heavy casualties. The enemy attacked the post third time, now with support from tanks. This time they succeeded in overrunning the post but not before losing several men in hand to hand combat. Major Thapa killed several of the enemy troops before being captured.
He died on September 6th, 2005 aged 77. The Shipping Corporation of India honoured him by naming a ship Major Dhan Singh Thapa PVC.
Subedar Joginder Singh Sahnan: Joginder Singh Sahnan was born on 26th September 1921 in Moga, Punjab. He was enrolled in 1st Sikh Regiment in 1936.
Subedar Joginder commanded a platoon in the tawang sector of NEFA (North East Frontier Agency). On 20th October he and his men noticed heavy enemy movement towards his post. This was the preparation of Chinese attack. Three days later, in the early hours of October 23rd, Chinese attacked Tongpen La. Chinese battalion attacked in three waves, each with 200 soldiers. The first wave was defeated by Indian counter-attack. But Chinese soon launched the second wave. This was again defeated. But platoon lost more than half its men and Subedar Joginder was wounded in the thighs, but refused to evacuate. Meanwhile the third wave attacked. This time Subedar Joginder manned a LMG and shot many enemies dead. The enemy however kept marching forward without any concern for the losses. Seeing enemy advance, Subedar Joginder and his men fixed bayonets on their rifles and attacked the coming enemy. Before being captured, he killed or wounded several of them.
He died as a Chinese prisoner of war. In 2006, a statue of Subedar Joinder Singh was inaugurated near the district office, Moga.
Major Shaitan Singh: Shaitan Singh was born on December 1st 1924 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. His father was Lt. Col Hem Singh Bhati. Born in a family with military background, his first choice was army. He was commissioned in Indian army in 1949.
Major Shaitan Singh was commanding a company of an infantry battalion deployed at Rezang La in the Chushul sector at a height of about 17,000 feet. The locality was isolated from the main defended sector and consisted of five platoon-defended positions. On 18 November 1962, the Chinese forces attacked the position with heavy artillery fire and great numbers. Against heavy odds, under the leadership of Major Shaitan, our troops beat back successive waves of enemy attack. With no regard for his personal safety he was moving from one post to another, boosting the morale of his men. In the process, he was wounded grievously but continued to fight and move from post to post. Encouraged by his brave actions, our troops inflicted heavy losses to enemy. For every men lost by us, they lost 4-5. Major Shaitan succumbed to his wounds on the battlefield. But he inspired his men to fight till last breath. Out of 123 Kumaonis, 109 were killed, 9 were seriously injured and rest captured. After Chinese ceasefire, his body was recovered from the battlefield and cremated in Jodhpur.