(1962) An MI-4 in the Galwan Valley, as seen from the Chinese side.
It was August 1962. Alpha Company of 5 Jat was at Chushul when it received instructions to take control of the hot springs. There was never a plan to send Alfaz from there to Galwan. Major Ajit Singh’s Bravo Company was to take that position. However, when he insisted that his company remain in Hot Springs, the task fell on Alfa. And so, in October, about 60 soldiers arrived at Galwan Post: unexpectedly and without any special preparation.
Alfaaz will face many difficulties in Galwan. Apart from heavy snowfall, Chinese posts have also completely closed the land route. The post was completely dependent on air supplies, which meant that at times, supplies even reached the enemy’s side. The Chinese also continued their attacks by circling checkpoints and shouting propaganda slogans to discourage the Alphas. ‘Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai’.
The Jats prepared four outposts in the compound: the company headquarters consisting of one section under Major Shrikant Sitaram Hassabnis, one platoon under Subedar Hoshiar Singh, another section under Naik Inder Singh, and one outpost consisting of the remaining section under Subedar Nihal Singh. There were people. There was no communication between these posts. Supplies were also in limited numbers, with 16 soldiers reportedly lacking weapons of any kind. Even radio communication between company headquarters and the battalion was as per schedule. Every soldier was frightened and felt as if they had been thrown into a death trap.
when the bullets rained
A week passed without incident after the last troops were landed at Galwan. But it was an eerie peace, which was not to last very long. In the early hours of 20 October, Major Hasbanis, who was in his tent at the time, heard machine gun fire at his post. As soon as he looked outside, firing started on him from the Chinese side.
Within no time, firing from all sides engulfed the area. Bullets from rifles, machine guns and artillery were raining on the ground. Major Hasbanis approached the tent with a radio to alert the battalion and brigade headquarters that they had been attacked by the Chinese. Except, it was a period of radio silence at headquarters, which meant there was no one to alert or call for help. Thus, with no contact with the outside world, the Alfas were now left to deal with the Chinese alone.
The remaining positions of the company were out of sight. Amid heavy firing, a soldier from the company headquarters was seen sitting outside in the open. Someone asked him, “Why are you doing this?” He replied, “wait, sir” (“Waiting, sir”). One of 16 unarmed men, he waited for the bullet that would kill him. Even Major Hassabnis had just a pistol.
not distracted by anything
Subedar Nihal Singh’s post was also demolished. After a brief halt to the shelling, the infantry began a battalion-sized attack on the forward defences. The soldiers continued fighting with their collapsing defences, and amidst this, Nihal Singh went from man to man, encouraging them to fight to the end.
Not far away, the JCO was badly injured in the shelling. On seeing this, constable Bhopal Singh immediately ran to him, helped him and took him to a safe place. When he returned to his trench he found that his LMG-1 had been seriously injured. Nevertheless, he gained control of the weapon and caused serious damage to the enemy. Ultimately, when he was left with only hand grenades, he fearlessly hurled grenades at the enemy, resulting in many deaths. Ultimately, however, as the front line defenses completely collapsed, Bhopal Singh was killed.
fight till the end
Meanwhile, Major Hasbanis in the rear position continued to fight the Chinese with his remaining troops. Captain Dr. HN Paul was advised to come out of the tent and enter the ditch. But before he could do so, the tent caught fire due to fire; It was assumed that he had died. Company Havildar Major Banwari Lal, who was charged with arranging ammunition, was also killed by a shell while he was running to supply ammunition.
Left, Major SS Hassabnis, and right, Subedar Nihal Singh.
Even the isolated place of Subedar Hoshiar Singh was not spared. Although the initial wave of the attack was repulsed, its scope was overwhelming. It was clear to Singh that this was a serious moment. After his LMG operators suffered fatal injuries, he personally fired his weapon and charged at the opponent before being shot.
The weaker section of Naik Inder Singh also bravely fought an enemy four times bigger. The section gave their all, but after an hour, when they had nothing left, they fell, and their position was overrun by the enemy.
When the Chinese captured the post
The hail of bullets ended as quickly as it had begun. There was suddenly an uneasy silence in the Galwan complex. As soon as the opponent closed in, the one-on-one fight began. The soldiers who were hurt could be heard screaming. After several hours of fighting, the Chinese completely captured the post, killing 30 Indian soldiers, including Dr. Paul. Eighteen people suffered serious injuries.
They continued fighting until the last bullet was fired. And even though they knew that death and defeat were staring them in the eyes, they still did not raise the white flag of surrender. Major Hassabnis and his surviving soldiers were taken prisoner by the enemy. Galwan was captured. Subedar Nihal Singh and an OR died in captivity, while Sepoy Roshan Lal lost his limbs.
A photo of 5 Jat when it reached Chushul to relieve 1/8 Gorkha Rifles from several forward posts.
On 21 October, Chinese troops again fired at Indian helicopters while flying over the Galwan position. Seeing no signs of life at the post, the pilot concluded that all men had either been killed or taken prisoner.
It was only in May 1963 that the prisoners were finally brought back. Among them, Subedar Nihal Singh was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for his bravery and leadership.
(All photos courtesy of the author)
(Jai Samota is a student and writer from Badisadri, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan and author of ‘Major Shaitan Singh, PVC: The Man in Half Light’)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
