In the conflict with China in 1962, Subedar Sonam Stobdhan was in command of the Indian post at Chandani, in the LADAKH SECTOR. The Chinese attacked on the night of 19th October in automatic mortars and weapons. The Indians were fewer in number and equipped with weapons of a very inferior quality. But under the inspiring leadership of Subedar they put up a brave fight, and inflicted heavy causalities on the enemy.

The Subbed lost his life in the encounter. He was posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra in 1962.