Galwan hero Col. Santosh Babu awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously
Babu’s wife B. Santoshi and mother Manjula received the award at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence minister Rajnath Singh, and top military brass of the country.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 23 Nov 2021 10:42 AM GMT
New Delhi: Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu from Telangana, who was killed while resisting the attack by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at Galwan Valley in Ladakh in June 2020, was awarded the second-highest military gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously by President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday for displaying exemplary courage during the hand-to-hand combat.
Babu's wife B. Santoshi and mother Manjula received the award at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence minister Rajnath Singh, and top military brass of the country.
Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu was the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar regiment.
The official citation read, "Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, Commanding officer 16 BIHAR deployed in Galwan Valley (Eastern Ladakh) during Operation Snow Leopard was tasked to establish an observation post in face of the enemy. Organising and briefing his troops about the situation with a sound plan, he successfully executed the task. While holding the position his column faced stiff resistance from the adversary who attacked using lethal and sharp weapons along with heavy stone pelting from adjoining heights. Undaunted by the violent and aggressive action by overwhelming strength of enemy soldiers, the officer in true spirit of service before self, continued to resist the enemy's attempt to pushback Indian troops."
It added, "Despite being grievously injured, Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu led from the front with absolute command and control despite hostile conditions to deter the vicious enemy attack at his position. In the skirmish that broke out and ensuing hand to hand combat with enemy soldiers, he valiantly resisted the enemy attack till his last breath, inspiring and motivating his troops to hold ground."
Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, it said, displayed exemplary leadership and astute professionalism. He showed conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy and made supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Around 20 soldiers were martyred in the violent standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies at Galwan Valley. The slain included Colonel Santosh Babu from Telangana.
India shares a 3,488-km border with China while Ladakh shares 646 km of the LAC with the neighboring country. Jammu and Kashmir is the only place in the country which shares its borders with both Pakistan and China. Leh-based 14 corps of the army is responsible for the security of LAC, Line of Control (LoC), and Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) at Siachen.
