Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday unveiled a renovated war memorial in Rezang La in eastern Ladakh, the site of an epic battle at an altitude of 18,000 feet where more than 100 Indian soldiers inflicted heavy losses on the Chinese military 59 years ago, demonstrating indomitable courage and bravery.

The Battle of Rezang La is widely regarded as the finest moment for the Indian military in the Indo-Chinese War six decades ago.

Paying homage to fallen heroes, Singh described the monument as an example of the determination and indomitable courage of the Indian military which he said is not “only immortal in the pages of history, but beating also in our hearts “.

The Union Defense Minister said that “the Battle of Rezang La is considered one of the 10 most important and difficult military conflicts in the world”.

“The historic battle of Rezang La, fought at an altitude of 18,000 feet, is difficult to imagine even today. Major Shaitan Singh and his comrades fought to the last blow and the last breath and wrote a new chapter of bravery and sacrifice. ” he said.

“I salute the 114 Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in the 1962 war after reaching Rezang La, located in the middle of the inaccessible hills of Ladakh,” Singh tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Union Defense Minister was also seen escorting Brigadier (ret’d) RV Jatar, a 1962 war veteran, to the iconic site.

A video of Singh pushing the veteran’s wheelchair was posted on Twitter by PRO Udhampur, Department of Defense.

“Brigadier (Retired) RV Jatar of 13 Kumaon, who bravely fought in the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, escorted by Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh,” the tweet read.

Watch the video:

(With PTI inputs)

Posted on: Thursday November 18, 2021 6:35 PM IST