A new book recreates the exploits of the Indian Army at Rezang La during the 1962 war with China

A little before noon, the radio operator received the message that Maj Shaitan Singh was on his way to Rezang La with the rest of the Charlie Company and the arms and ammunition. A wave of excitement ran through the platoon.

Born on 1 December 1924, Maj Shaitan Singh, at the time of India’s Independence, was a part of the Jodhpur state forces. Once the Jodhpur state acceded to the Indian union on 7 April 1949, he was transferred to the Indian Army’s Kumaon Regiment. An experienced officer, by 1962, he had participated in operations in the Naga Hills and the 1961 liberation of Goa. A sound tactician and a keen football player, Maj Shaitan Singh was very close to his soldiers.

When Maj Shaitan Singh arrived along with Naib Subedars Hari Ram and Ram Chander and the others, the first action he did was to address the jawans. By now, the jawans had fortified their existing bunker (the one they had taken over from CRPF) with stones, prepared a few sangars with rocks, organised a makeshift langar, and activated and tested the magneto telephones and the two wireless sets.

When everyone had assembled, Maj Shaitan Singh looked around, smiled, adjusted his snow…

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