New Delhi: Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, commander of the 16th Bihar Regiment who led the front against the Chinese attack in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in June last year, was awarded posthumously by President Ram Nath Kovind to Mahavir Chakra on Tuesday because he displayed exemplary courage during the hand-to-hand combat.
Babu’s wife B Santoshi and mother Manjula received the award during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and the country’s top military soldiers.
Mahavir Chakra is the second highest wartime bravery award after the Param Vir Chakra.
Four other soldiers, Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren, Havildar (Gunner) K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh and Sepoy Gurtej Singh, who also laid down their lives against the Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley clash on June 15 last year, were honored with the Vir Chakra Award posthumous.
Havildar Tejinder Singh of the 3rd Medium Regiment, who was part of the Indian Army team at Galwan Valley clash and survived the battle, was also awarded the Vir Chakra Award.
For Chakra, it is the country’s third highest wartime bravery award.
Naib Soren’s wife Laxmi Mani Soren, Havildar Palani’s wife Vanathi Devi and Naik Singh’s wife Rekha Singh received the award from the president.
Sepoy Gurtej Singh’s mother Prakash Kaur and father Virsa Singh received the Vir Chakra from the President.
In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers had been killed in clashes with the Indian army, although the death toll was widely believed to be higher.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a tweet col. Babu showed exemplary leadership, shrewd professionalism and conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy and made the highest sacrifice for the nation.
Colonel Babu, despite being seriously injured, led the Indian troops from the front with absolute command and control despite hostile conditions.
He bravely resisted the enemy attack until his last breath, while inspiring and motivating his troops to hold ground during Operation Snow Leopard.
The quote said that Kol Babu received the Mahavir Chakra for displaying “exemplary leadership, astute professionalism and supreme sacrifice” in the performance of his duties.
The Indian Army has built a memorial for the ‘Gallants of Galwan’ at Post 120 in the east of Ladakh.
The memorial mentioned their heroic deeds under ‘Operation Snow Leopard’ and the manner in which they expelled Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops from the area while inflicting “heavy casualties”.
Naib Subedar Soren, who was part of the 16 Bihar Regiment, led his column and opposed the enemy’s attempt to repel the Indian soldiers while setting up an observation post, according to official details.
He organized his column, vigorously opposing the adversary and stopping them in their attempt to repel Indian troops.
Soren showed raw courage and fought with a determined spirit before succumbing to his injuries.
Havildar Palani stood bravely and tried to defend his comrades even when the enemy attacked him with a sharp weapon.
His act of bravery inspired other fellow soldiers to fight fiercely and resist enemy aggression. Despite his serious injuries, he remained determined and laid down his life for the motherland, according to the details.
Naik Deepak Singh, who also belonged to the 16th Bihar Regiment and performed duties as a Nursing Assistant, played a crucial role in delivering treatment and saving the lives of more than 30 Indian soldiers.
Sepoy Gurtej Singh, who was from the third battalion of the Punjab regiment, successfully spotted the enemy troops as they established the observation post.
Singh displayed raw courage and exceptional combat skills to resist the enemy troops and continued to fight even after being seriously injured, according to official reports of the collision.
Several other army personnel were also honored during the ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Striking among them was the Shaurya Chakra posthumously awarded to Major Anuj Sood of the 21st Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles.
Source: The Siasat Daily