The Sino-Indian War of 1962 featured one of the saddest stories in Indian military history and epitomized extraordinary courage and sacrifice-the Battle of Walong. Walong is a beautiful area located in the hilly backdrop of Arunachal Pradesh.
It was here that the fierce fight between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China took place. It was a battle where personnel were outnumbered but displayed high valor and tenacity in the face of very grim odds.
“Walong was defended by 85 percent belonging to the 2nd Assam Regiment.” It was no ordinary soldier but a drop of national pride and valor. They fall in ranks and advance when challenged as led by a deep sense of duty. Any militiaman could very well cry, as some did, but the biting cold and rugged terrain were extra challenges in which the indomitable spirit of these soldiers was truly seen.
Among the heroes, the story of Major Shaitan Singh specially caught attention. His men were following only his lead, and though he had the traits of a leader along with tactical acumen, it was now quite clear that his quality as a military leader. His bravery, more so when it came in the form of standing one’s ground against fierce skirmishes, rallied his troops into unflinching resolve and became legendary.
Major Shaitan Singh, company commander, 13 Kumaon battalion and his men fought bravely to stop Chinese army’s advance. For this battle, which is regarded as one of the greatest battles of all times, Major Shaitan Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra – nation’s highest gallantry award.
The sacrifice by soldiers like him could carve a legacy of heroism in his people to remind them for a long time to come. In his was no battle, but the love for their homeland and countrymen.
Tragedy followed the battle, but it also served to throw these deep bonds between camaraderie and loyalty sharply into relief within the troops. A soldier fights for his or her own, yet also for his comrades besides, an ethos of brotherhood that forms the very heart of military service.
Sacrifices made by such brave souls recall the high price of freedom and of the quotient of true courage required to defend it.
Thinking about the heroes of Walong, it would be remiss not to honor memory and values: their most exceptional qualities—courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to duty. It is because of such qualities that they inspired posterity reminding us that a hero can be born out of darkness.
The story of Walong is not a story of war; it’s an adoration to the human spirit and to the men who went for their country’s sake, losing everything. Let their legacies live on in the annals of history and in the hearts of every Indian.