Major Dhan Singh Thapa of 1/8 GORKHA RIFLES was in command of a forward post in Ladakh. On 20 October 1962, his post was attacked by Chinese troops in overwhelming strength after an intense artillery and mortar bombardment. Under his leadership, the greatly outnumbered post repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The enemy attacked a second time and met a similar fate.

The Chinese attacked for the third time, now with tanks to support their infantry. The post had already suffered large casualties in the earlier two attacks. Though considerably thinned, the post held out to the last. When it was finally overrun by overwhelming numbers of Chinese, Major Thapa got out of his trench and killed several enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand fighting before he was eventually overpowered by Chinese soldiers and killed.

Major Thapa’s cool courage, conspicuous fighting qualities and leadership were in the highest traditions of the Army, for which he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous).