India
Defence Minister Visits Sikkim Memorial of Soldier Believed to Guard Frontier After Death
By Rahul Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the memorial of Baba Harbhajan Singh during his Diwali trip to Sikkim’s forward areas, reigniting the legend of a soldier said to watch over the frontier long after his death. Harbhajan Singh, 22, served with the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment and was posted to east Sikkim. He drowned in October 1968 after slipping into a stream while escorting a mule convoy near Nathu La, one of the two Himalayan passes where Indian and Chinese troops clashed the previous year. His body was recovered days later, but soldiers and generals believe his vigil continues along the mountain frontier with China.
The memorial stands at an altitude of 13,123 feet along the road connecting Nathu La and Jelep La. A shrine built by the army near Chhokya Chho, where Singh was stationed during his final posting, has become a pilgrimage site. The shrine, described by former army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, is maintained with military precision and is said to show signs of nightly patrols.
During his visit, Rajnath Singh also paid tribute at the nearby Sherathang war memorial and honored Indian soldiers killed in the 1967 Nathu La and Cho La clashes with China, battles that ended in an Indian victory with reported Indian casualties of 88 and Chinese casualties of 340.
The minister was accompanied by Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Eastern Army commander Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, and 33 Corps commander Lieutenant General Man Raj Singh Mann.
Naravane, who served as army chief from December 2019 to April 2022, chronicled the legend in a chapter of his book "The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries," published in April 2026. He recounts that soldiers have reported dreams of Singh warning them of impending attacks, terrain hazards and enemy movements, and that Chinese soldiers reportedly leave a chair vacant for him during flag meetings at Nathu La as a silent acknowledgement of his enduring presence.
The shrine continues to attract soldiers, civilians and tourists seeking blessings, protection or simply to pay homage to a man who, in death, became a guardian of the frontier.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Baba Harbhajan Singh?
Baba Harbhajan Singh was a 22‑year‑old soldier of the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment, posted to east Sikkim, who drowned in October 1968 while escorting a mule convoy near Nathu La.
What is the significance of the memorial?
The memorial stands at 13,123 feet along the road between Nathu La and Jelep La and is a pilgrimage site where soldiers, civilians, and tourists seek blessings, honoring the legend that Singh continues to guard the frontier.