Honours for Galwan martys, Mahavir Chakra for Col. S. Babu
■ Col. Babu awarded Mahavir Chakra, 5 others Vir Chakra
India will honour the bravehearts of Galwan clash on Republic Day.
Col. Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar who lost his life while fighting Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on June 15, will be decorated with Mahavir Chakra, the second-highest war-time gallantry medal on Republic Day this year.
"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," the citation said.
India lost 20 troops in the fiercest clash with the Chinese who also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley.
Five soldiers have been given the third-highest war time gallantry award, Vir Chakra, for their bravery in the Galwan Valley clash, out of which four are posthumously. Fourteen have been awarded Sena Medal (gallantry) posthumously for their bravery against Chinese troops.
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar who lost his life while fighting Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on June 15, has been awarded the second-highest wartime gallantry medal Mahavir Chakra posthumously on the Republic Day.
India had lost 20 troops in the fiercest clash with the Chinese who also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley.
Five soldiers have been given third highest war time gallantry award Vir Chakra for their bravery in the Galwan Valley clash, out of which four are posthumously. Fourteen have been awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry) posthumously for their bravery against Chinese troops.
Those who have been awarded Vir Chakra posthumously are Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren (16 Bihar), Hav K. Palani (81 Field Regiment), N.K. Deepak Singh (16 Bihar) and Sep Gurtej Singh (3 Punjab). Hav Tejinder Singh from three Medium Regiment has also been awarded with Vir Chakra
for his bravery during Galwan Valley clash with PLA soldiers.
Colonel Babu was deployed in Galwan Valley (Eastern Ladakh) during Operation Snow Leopard on June 15 last year and 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,” said the citation. 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 said.
“Despite being grievously injured, Colonel 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,” it said.
Havildar Palani who has been awarded Vir Chakra (posthumous) was also deployed in Galwan Valley.
On night of 15 June 2020, he was part of patrol of 16 Bihar tasked to establish an Observation Post. In a close hand to hand fight he fought valiantly and saved his subordinates from the aggressive action of the enemy soldiers. However, suddenly, the adversaries outnumbered and encircled him. With utter disregard to his personal safety, he stood bravely and tried to defend his comrades even when the enemy attacked him with sharp weapon injuring him seriously.”