Battle of Rezang La

Why in news?

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to block the certification and release of ‘120 Bahadur’, an upcoming Bollywood war drama.

• Battle of Rezang La – It was fought on November 18, 1962, during the Sino-Indian War, 1962.
  • Fought between Indian and Chinese troops on the south-eastern ridge of the Chushul Valley of Eastern Ladakh.
• Major Shaitan Singh led the 13 Kumaon Regiment’s Ahir company.
  • Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award.
• Despite being heavily outnumbered, Indian soldiers fought valiantly, inflicting massive casualties on the Chinese.
• The battle is remembered as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
• A war memorial was built at Rezang La in 1963 to honor the 114 soldiers who died.
• Significance of Rezang La – Its defence is crucial to safeguard the Chushul air base and Ladakh’s security, as Chinese control here would open a direct route to Leh.
  • Rezang La – A mountain pass located at 16,000 feet, on the Line of Actual Control between Ladakh and the China’s Spanggur Lake basin.

Other Important Mountain Passes -

Reference

Indian Express | ‘120 Bahadur’ brings Battle of Rezang La into focus