Craftsman Sankara Rao Gottapu

Craftsman Sankara Rao Gottapu hailed from Badangi village in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. He joined the army after completing his school education and was recruited into the corps of EME, the arm having varying responsibilities related to the design, development, trial, inspection, and refit of weapon systems and equipment of the Indian Army. 

Repair & Maintenance Operation (Ladakh): 11 Jul 2024

During Jul 2024, Cfn Sankara Rao Gottapu's unit was deployed in Ladakh. His unit was operating under the operational control of XIV Corps also known as the 'Fire and Fury Corps', part of military deployment in the Kargil-Leh area guarding the frontiers with China and Pakistan. Cfn Sankara Rao Gottapu's unit provided its expertise in the repair and maintenance of various equipment and weapons systems to several units under its controlling Command HQs. On 11 July 2024, Cfn Sankara Rao Gottapu and Hav Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat were tasked to undertake the repair and maintenance of critical military equipment. As they worked diligently, to complete the assigned task, a sudden and unexpected accident occurred at around 1000 hrs.  A component within the equipment burst, sending shrapnel flying through the air. As a result, Cfn Sankara Rao Gottapu and  Hav Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat got severely injured. Cfn Sankara Rao Gottapu sustained grievous injuries and soon succumbed to his injuries.

Hav Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat was immediately evacuated by air to Leh for treatment where medical professionals fought to save his life. Despite their best efforts, Hav Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat too lost the battle for life and succumbed to his injuries. Cfn Sankara Rao Gottapu was a dedicated and professionally competent soldier, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of his duty.