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Major Dhan Singh Thapa |
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Major Dhan Singh Thapa, born on
10 April 1928 in Simla, Himachal Pradesh, was commissioned in
the 8 Gurkha Rifles on 28 August 1949.
Military Action
The Sirijap valley, north of the Pangong
Lake in Ladakh, was considered vital for the defence of Chushul
airfield. The 1/8 Gurkha Rifles had outposts there to thwart any
Chinese encroachment in the area. One of these outposts named
Sirijap-1 was held by a platoon of 'C' Company under the command of
Major Dhan Singh Thapa when the Chinese attack came on 21 October
1962. At 06:00 on 21 October 1962, the Chinese opened a barrage
of artillery and mortar fire over Sirijap-1 post. The shelling
continued till 08:30 and the whole area was set ablaze. Some
shells fell on the command post and damaged the wireless set. |
This put the post out of
commission. The Chinese then attacked the outpost in overwhelming
numbers. Major Thapa and his men repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy
casualties on the Chinese. But the Chinese were not dismayed by the
defeat. They mounted another attack in greater number after shelling
the area with artillery and mortar fire.
Major Thapa again rose to the occasion and repulsed the attack,
inflicting heavy losses on the Chinese. He encouraged his men to be
prepared for a third assault, which came after a short while indeed.
The third Chinese attack was, however, more powerful and intense. The
Chinese now came with tanks in support of the infantry. The platoon
post was now in a much-depleted strength owing to the casualties
suffered in earlier attacks. But the post held out till the ammunition
lasted. When the Chinese finally overran it, he jumped out of his
trench and killed many intruders in hand-to-hand fighting. He was
eventually overpowered and killed. His cool courage, conspicuous
fighting qualities and leadership were in the highest traditions of
the Army.
Major Thapa was believed to have been killed in this engagement, and
the original citation given above reflects this. He was later
discovered to have been taken prisoner by Chinese soldiers and after
his release from the POW camp, he resumed his military career. For his
gallant act, Major Dhan Singh Thapa was honoured with the highest
wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra. |
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Citation
MAJOR
DHAN SINGH THAPA
1/8
GORKHA RIFLES (IC-7990)
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Major
Dhan Singh Thapa was in command of a forward post in Ladakh. On
20 October it was attacked by the Chinese in overwhelming
strength after being subjected to intensive artillery and mortar
bombardment. Under his gallant command, the greatly outnumbered
most repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the
aggressors. The enemy attacked again in greater numbers after
heavy shelling by artillery and mortar fire. Under the
leadership of Major Thapa, his men repulsed this attack also
with heavy losses to the enemy.
The
Chinese attacked for the third time, now with tanks to support
the infantry. The post had already suffered large numbers of
casualties in the earlier two attacks. Though considerably
reduced in number it held out to the last. When it was finally
overrun by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, Major Thapa got
out of his trench and killed several of the enemy in
hand-to-hand fighting before he was finally overpowered by
Chinese soldiers.
Major
Thapa’s cool courage, conspicuous fighting qualities and
leadership were in the highest traditions of our Army. |
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