China clash hero conferred India's gallantry medal

Galwan valley clash hero Indian Army Colonel Santosh Babu will be awarded the second-highest wartime gallantry medal - the Mahavir Chakra (posthumously) by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in an investiture ceremony.

Santosh Babu will be awarded the gallantry medal for resisting the Chinese Army attack while establishing an observation post in the face of the enemy in the Galwan valley in the Ladakh sector during the Operation Snow Leopard.

"Col 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. 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 the overwhelming strength of enemy soldiers, the officer in the true spirit of service before self, continued to resist the enemy's attempt to push back Indian troops," the citation said.

Meanwhile, other Army personnel, including Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren, Havildar K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh and Sepoy Gurtej Singh, will receive their Vir Chakras (posthumously) for their gallant actions against the vicious attack by the Chinese Army in the Galwan valley.

India lost 20 troops in the fiercest clash between the two sides in a long time. The Chinese also suffered significant casualties. The clash led to the hardening of India's stand, which has now allowed troops to use weapons during patrolling after the use of unorthodox weapons by Chinese troops.

(ANI)