Harbhajan Singh (military officer)

Harbhajan Singh was born in Bhatte Bhaini village in Patti tehsil of Tarn Taran District in Punjab on 3 August 1941 and completed his matriculation in March 1956 from DAV High School, Patti, Punjab.

Harbhajan Singh enrolled as a boy soldier at Army recruiting office, Amritsar and joined Corps of Signals in June 1956.

He earned his regular commission as an officer on 30th June 1963 and was posted to 14 Rajput unit of the Rajput Regiment.

He took part in Indo-Pak war of 1965 as Adjutant of his Unit. Thereafter, he was posted to 18 Rajput.

In 1967, Major Harbhajan Singh along with his unit was deployed at Nathu La, Sikkim, when the Chinese Army attempted incursions into Indian held territory, leading to the Nathu La and Cho La clashes. On 11 September 1967, Major Harbhajan Singh was commanding a company that was detailed to provide protection to Engineers constructing a wire fence and obstacle at Nathu La. When the wire was being laid, Chinese forces opened fire on the Engineers and the protection unit. In the resultant counter attack, Major Harbhajan Singh led a bayonet charge at Chinese forces and neutralised an Light machine gun post, and was martyred in the battle. For exemplary courage and leadership during the clashes, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest military decoration.[3]

Major Harbhajan Singh's character was played by actor Harshvardhan Rane in the 2018 Indian Hindi-language film Paltan (film).[4]

• Nathu La and Cho La clashes

• Maj Gen DK Palit, War in the High Himalayas, Lancers