Colonel Santhosh Babu, who was martyred along with several other soldiers in the Galwan valley clash between India and China at the shared border, is to be posthumously conferred the Mahavir Chakra. The Mahavir Chakra is India’s second-highest military award for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
“Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of 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,” his citation for the award read.
Following his demise, he was laid down with state honours, and his wife was felicitated on the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Foundation Day. She was also appointed as the deputy collector in Telangana and was granted a house by the Telangana government.
“The state government has appointed Ms Santoshi, wife of Col Santosh Babu who was martyred in the recent clashes on the Indo-China Border, as Deputy Collector. Honourable Chief Minister Sri K Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday at Pragathi Bhavan handed over the appointment letter to Ms Santoshi,” an official release had said.