Major Dhan Singh ThapaMajor Dhan Singh Thapa

MINISTRY OF DEFENCEGOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Param Vir Chakra Awardee of India

Major Dhan Singh Thapa ' /","',-,4 .....

Param Vir Chakra, 8 Gorkha Rifles

8 Gorkha Rifles

Born-April 10, 1928

Major Dhan Singh Thapa (IC-7990), son of ShriP.S. Thapa, was born on April 10, 1928, at Shimla,Himachal Pradesh. He was commissioned in 8Gorkha Rifles on August 28, 1949.

The SirUap valley, north of Pangong Lake inLadakh, was considered vital for the defence ofChushul airfield. 1/8 Gorkha Rifles held outpoststhere to thwart any enemy encroachment in thearea. One of these outposts named SirUap-1 washeld by a platoon of C Company under MajorDhan Singh Thapa when the Chinese attack cameon October 21,1962.

At 0600 hours on October 2 I, the Chineseopened a barrage of artillery and mortar fire overSirUap-1 post. The shelling continued till 0830hours and the whole area was set ablaze. Someshells fell on the command post and damaged thewireless set. This put the post out of commission.The Chinese then attacked the outpost inoverwhelming numbers. Major Thapa and hismen repulsed the attack, inflicting heavycasualties on the enemy. But the Chinese were notdismayed by the defeat and mounted anotherattack in greater number after shelling the areawith artillery and mortar fire. Major Thapa againrose to the occasion and repulsed the attack,inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. In this attack,he also suffered losses but this did not weaken hisdetermination.

The third Chinese attack was, however,more powerful and intense. The Chinese nowcame with tanks in support of the infantry. Theplatoon post was now in a much depletedstrength owing to casualties suffered in earlierattacks. But the post held out till the ammunition

Major Dhan Singh Thapareceiving PVC from

the PresidentDr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

lasted. When it was finally overrun by the Chinese.Major Thapa jumped out of his trench and killed

many intruders in hand-to-hand fighting. He waseventually overpowered and captured.

Major Dhan Singh Thapa was awardedParam Vir Chakra for his exemplary courage andbravery.