Battle of Rezang La
| Battle of Rezang Lah (hill in Tibetan/Ladakhi language) | |||||||||
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| Part of Sino-Indian War | |||||||||
Memorial for the battle at Rezang La | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| India | People's Republic of China | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Major Shaitan Singh † | Unknown | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
| Charlie C Company, 13th Battalion |
10th Infantry Regiment:
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| Strength | |||||||||
| ~120 soldiers | ~3,000 soldiers | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 114 killed | Government of India's number: 1,400 killed | ||||||||
The Battle of Rezang La ("la" meaning hill in Tibetan/Ladhaki language) was a major military engagement that took place on 18 November 1962, during the Sino-Indian War between the Indian Army's 13th Kumaon Regiment and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA). 120 Indian soldiers faced more than 3,000 Chinese soldiers and successfully defended the strategic mountain pass of Rezang Lah in Ladakh. Fought at an altitude of 16,000 ft (4,900 m), against overwhelming Chinese forces, the battle saw one of the greatest last stands, with Indian sources documenting more than 1400 Chinese casualties. Major Shaitan Singh, who led the defense, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, for his extraordinary bravery. Several other decorations were awarded posthumously to many officers and soldiers of the company.