Born in 1928 in Hong Kong, Bhatti moved to Pakistan before partition. There he enlisted with the newly formed Pakistani Army and was commissioned to the Punjab Regiment in 1950. On September 6th war broke out between India and Pakistan.

As company commander in the Burki area of Lahore sector, Major Bhatti chose to move his forward platoon under constant fire from Indian tanks and artillery. He resisted for five days and nights defending a Pakistani outpost on the strategic BRB canal. He led his men from the front under constant attack from Indian batteries. Although he countered every Indian offensive in his area, on the fifth day he was hit by an enemy tank shell. He died instananeously.

Each year, Bhatti is honoured in Pakistan on the 6th of September, also known as Defense Day. Bhatti was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for the exemplery courage he displayed till his death.