Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu was born on 13 February 1983 in the Suryapet district of present-day Telangana. He was the son of Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu and Smt Manjula, a homemaker. From an early age, he displayed discipline, determination, and a strong sense of duty—qualities that would define his military career. He completed his schooling at Sainik School Korukonda in Vizianagaram district, where his inclination towards the Armed Forces took firm root. As the years progressed, his resolve to serve the nation strengthened, culminating in his selection to the National Defence Academy on 27 December 2000. After graduating from the NDA, as part of the 105th Course, he proceeded to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant on 10 December 2004, at the age of 22. Colonel Santosh Babu was commissioned into 16 Bihar Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, a regiment renowned for its valour and rich battle history. His first posting was in Jammu, where, as a young officer, he quickly distinguished himself as a committed soldier with excellent fieldcraft and leadership skills. Though a tough and resolute officer in operations, he was equally known for his warmth, approachability, and genuine concern for his men—traits that earned him deep respect and affection from peers and subordinates alike.
He progressed steadily through the ranks, distinguished by professionalism, operational competence, and exemplary leadership at every stage of his career. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 10 December 2006, followed by his promotion to Major on 10 December 2010. Recognising his potential for higher command and staff responsibilities, he was selected to attend the prestigious Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, an institution that prepares officers for senior leadership roles in the Armed Forces. Alongside his professional advancement, Colonel Babu also built a fulfilling personal life. In 2009, he married Ms Santoshi, who remained a steadfast pillar of support throughout his demanding military career. The couple was blessed with two children—a daughter, Abhigna, and a son, Anirudh Teja.
Colonel Babu gained valuable international operational experience during his tenure with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), deployed amid the ongoing Kivu conflict. During a major joint operation involving Congolese and South African forces against the Nduma Defence of Congo (NDC) rebel group, his unit was caught in intense crossfire. Through calm leadership and decisive action, Colonel Babu played a crucial role in preventing the rebels from inflicting casualties on the joint force. During his posting in the Congo, he was also widely remembered for his kindness and generosity towards the local population, often extending help to civilians by assisting with medical and humanitarian needs. On 10 December 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He subsequently served as a Divisional Officer and as an Instructor Class ‘B’ at the National Defence Academy (NDA), where he contributed significantly to the training and mentoring of future officers. Thereafter, he was appointed General Staff Officer Grade I (GSO-I) at the headquarters of 35 Infantry Brigade, a key operational staff role. In 2019, Colonel Babu was once again posted to Jammu and Kashmir, a region marked by demanding operational and leadership challenges. On 2 December 2019, he assumed command of the 16th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment (16 Bihar). In recognition of his distinguished service and leadership, he was promoted to the rank of full Colonel in February 2020.
Operation Snow Leopard (Battle of Galwan): 15 June 2020
From April 2020, India observed a steady buildup of Chinese troops and armaments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. By early May, Chinese forces attempted to obstruct India’s traditional patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, triggering face-offs. Similar transgression attempts followed at Kongka La, Gogra, and the North Bank of Pangong Lake. These moves were promptly detected and countered by Indian forces, while India conveyed through diplomatic and military channels that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo was unacceptable. Amid escalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, Senior Commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed upon a mutual disengagement process based on reciprocal actions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect the LAC and to refrain from any activity that could unilaterally alter the status quo. However, in blatant violation of this understanding, the Chinese side instigated a violent confrontation on the night of 15 June 2020 in the Galwan Valley.
During this critical period, Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Battalion, was deployed in the Galwan Valley, Eastern Ladakh, as part of Operation Snow Leopard, which had been launched after China refused to restore the status quo ante. Colonel Babu was tasked with the establishment of an Observation Post directly facing the adversary, a mission of high operational risk under tense and volatile conditions. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, Colonel Babu meticulously organised his column, briefed his troops clearly on the evolving situation, and executed the task with precision and resolve. While holding the position, his column was confronted by a large and aggressive Chinese force, which launched a coordinated attack using lethal and sharp-edged weapons, accompanied by heavy stone pelting from dominating heights. Undeterred by the sudden escalation and the overwhelming numerical strength of the enemy, Colonel Babu exemplified the highest traditions of the Indian Army by placing mission and men above personal safety. Despite sustaining grievous injuries early in the confrontation, he continued to lead from the front, maintaining firm command and control under the most hostile conditions. His calm resolve and fearless presence inspired his soldiers to resist repeated enemy attempts to dislodge Indian troops from their position.
The tensions escalated rapidly when a Chinese soldier allegedly pushed Colonel Santosh Babu during a face-to-face engagement between the opposing troops. The situation quickly deteriorated, triggering a violent hand-to-hand clash. As reinforcements arrived, the intensity of the fighting increased. Chinese troops returned carrying improvised weapons such as iron rods, stones, and barbed wire-wrapped sticks, turning the encounter into a brutal close-quarters battle. The clash took place at night under extreme conditions — at an altitude of about 14,000 feet, over steep and treacherous terrain, and in near darkness. Colonel Santosh Babu led his troops from the front, personally directing and motivating them as the fighting intensified. At approximately 9 p.m., he was struck on the head by a heavy stone during the melee and fell into the freezing waters of the Galwan River below. Despite the loss of their commanding officer in the midst of the struggle, his soldiers did not withdraw. Instead, they continued to fight with renewed determination, and the confrontation carried on for several more hours, reportedly lasting until around midnight. India lost twenty soldiers in the clash. Some succumbed to severe combat injuries, while others died from hypothermia after falling into the icy river and being exposed to sub-zero temperatures. Colonel Santosh Babu was among the fallen. His body was recovered the following day, on 17 June.
Throughout the fierce skirmish, Colonel Babu valiantly resisted the enemy until his last breath, motivating the soldiers under his command to hold their ground against relentless assaults. His leadership ensured that the Indian troops remained steadfast, denying the adversary their objective. In this gallant action, Colonel Santosh Babu and 19 other brave soldiers laid down their lives, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Their resolute stand not only upheld India’s territorial integrity but also inflicted high costs, including casualties, on the Chinese side. Besides Colonel Santosh Babu, the other fallen heroes included: Nb Sub Nanduram Soren, Nb Sub Satnam Singh, Nb Sub Mandeep Singh, Hav Bipul Roy, Hav Sunil Kumar, Hav K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh, Sep Ganesh Hansda, Sep Chandan Kumar, Sep Chandrakanta Pradhan, Sep Aman Kumar, Sep Kundan Kumar, Sep Rajesh Orang, Sep Ganesh Ram, Sep K.K. Ojha, Sep Jay Kishor Singh, Sep Gurtej Singh, Sep Ankush, and Sep Gurbinder Singh. For his conspicuous gallantry, exemplary leadership, astute professionalism, and supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, by the President of India.
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu is survived by his father, Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu, mother Smt Bikumalla Manjula, wife Smt Bikumalla Santoshi, daughter Ms Bikumalla Abhigna and son Master Bikumalla Anirudh Teja.
Prafull Said
2025 at 11:10 amTo all of our Glorious Armed Forces,
A BIG Thank You, for being the guardians of our divine land. We are forever grateful to you and moved and touched by the way you perform your duty unflinchingly.
Your courage,valour and Martyr always inspired us in tough situations of our life as they say ‘when going is tough,tough gets going!’
In whatever way conceivable, we, mother India’s children, shall support and further your cause, and just like you, the soldiers of India, we will keep breathing our national integrity even after our last one.
Jai Hind!
Siva Krishna R S
2025 at 11:11 amNo doubts, we are the greatest cultural heritage nation in the world. We are surely one of the secured because of the relentless service of our great soldiers. Heartfelt Thank you Sir. Jai Hind
Yatin Sharma
2025 at 11:11 amMy heartfelt gratitude for your service to the nation.you were an extremely brave man.Thank you for inspring the whole nation and it is an honor for us to learn your story .you continue to live in our hearts . You will always be remembered.
Jai Hind.
Rohan Raykar
2025 at 11:12 amबलिदान
उनके बलिदानों को हम,
जुबाने क्या बयान करे,
वो दथे रहे हिमालय की गोदी में,
हम उने शीश जुखाकर नमन करे।
उनके सारे सपनों का गुलदास्ता समा ये दे गए,
मातृभूमिकी आबरु बचाने वो खुद को निछावर कर गए,
वो वीर अकेले नहीं जो वीरता दिखा गया,
वीर तो आपभी हो जो वीरो को होसला दिलते रहे।
ये मेरे शब्ददो का पुष्पा नमन,
है उन् वीरा जवानो के पवन चरण,
जो हमारे आज के लिए अपने कल को लुटा गए,
और उन सहासी परिवार जानोको जो ऐसे वीर हमे ए परिचै कर गए।
$..रॉय..$
Manjunath. B
2025 at 11:12 amIn reply to Priya.
Thank you so very much for your support and service to our country at home and afar! So very proud to be an INDIAN especially for each and every brave military person like yourself defending our country! Jai Hind.
Subhadip Dey
2025 at 11:13 amIndian Army.
The name is itself enough to shake the legs of enemy.
We are proud and privileged at your service before self for our country.
Jai hind. Vande mataram.
Sir thank you for your supreme sacrifice for our country.
May we have more brave sons of our soil for protecting our land.
Priya
2025 at 11:13 amIt is a great honor for our country, to have heroes like you, who live and breathe for their country. A Big Salute to you and your family! Bharat Maata ki Jai
Anurag
2025 at 11:14 amMay God be with the family . Col Santosh will remain a guiding force behind all of us. RIP – Brothers in Arm
Balamurali G
2025 at 11:15 amDear Family Members of Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu MVC
Greetings!
We would not be living the way we do now if it weren’t for the brave man who sacrificed his life for our freedom and safety. He brought fame, honour and respect to our beloved motherland. Be it any weather, he protected us. He was an ordinary person who faced extraordinary circumstances and acted with courage, honour and self-sacrifice. He is a true patriot. We are proud to have such a brave man. We will miss him dearly.
Jai Hind!!!
Laxmi.D
2025 at 11:22 amA heartfelt thank you to Colonel Santosh Babu for guarding our sovereign nation along with the other brave hearts. Its commendable on your part to lead the negotiations with the Chinese counterparts.Instead of taking up arms to put a stop to the unwanted activity and to initiate a discussion takes a lot of courage. Colonel Santosh Babu lead a team of brave hearts who went in knowing the risks that could take place in the name of protecting our nation. The easiest option was to take up arms but the thought of having a discussion and mitigating and talking it out was commendable.In these turbulent times when you have to think of the safety of your family members due to the ongoing pandemic you gave a huge priority to our nation.Thank you is a small word for your sacrifice, courage ,discipline and leadership. As mentioned as a Major you also got selected to join the Indian contingent for UN Operations in Congo and took part in numerous operations there too. There would have been lot more stories to share on your exemplary work for which the nation hopefully will learn about in the future.
To the family members we would ever be thankful and grateful for the sacrifice by Colonel Santosh Babu. 16 years of service and rising though the ranks in the armed forces shows the exemplary work done by Colonel Santosh Babu. May your soul rest in peace and our prayers and goodwill to the family members for their loss.