Service No. IC64405M
Date of Birth: 13 Feb 1983
Place of Birth : Suryapet, (Telangana)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Colonel
Unit : 16 Bihar
Arm/Regt : The Bihar Regiment
Operation : CI & IS Ops
Award: MVC
Date of Martyrdom : 15 Jun 2020
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu MVC
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu was born on 13 Feb 1983 and hailed from the Suryapet district of Telangana. Son of Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu a banker and Smt Manjula a homemaker, Col Babu did his schooling from Sainik School Korukonda in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. While studying in the Sainik School his inclination towards the Armed Forces grew and the foundation of his future military life was laid. His resolve to join the Army grew with the age and consequently, he got selected for the prestigious NDA after finishing school. He later went to IMA Dehradun and was commissioned as a Lieutenant on 10 Dec 2004 at the age of 22 years. He got commissioned into 16 Bihar of the Bihar Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its dauntless soldiers and numerous battle exploits.
As a young Lieutenant, he got posted to Jammu as his first assignment. He soon evolved into a committed soldier and a fine officer with superior field-craft skills. Besides being a tough soldier he was very affable and caring which endeared him to his peers and subordinates as well. He also got selected to attend the prestigious course at Defence Services Staff College at Wellington, a tri-service Institute for Officers’ training. Later he was deputed to serve with the Rashtriya Rifles battalion deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. During this tenure, he participated in a number of counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration operations and proved his mettle on various occasions.
After putting in few years of service he got married to Ms. Santoshi and the couple had a daughter Abhija and a son Anirudh Teja. As a Major, he also got selected to join the Indian contingent for UN Operations in Congo and took part in numerous operations there too. By 2020, he had put in around 16 years of service and had been promoted to the rank of a Colonel. On 02 Dec 2019 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar, his parent unit deployed in Ladakh.
Operation Snow Leopard : 15 June 2020
During June 2020, Col Santosh Babu was commanding 16 Bihar battalion deployed in eastern Ladakh close to the Line of Actual Control(LAC) as part of Operation Snow Leopard. Since early June the tension along the LAC was building up due to construction work in Galwan valley close to the road going from Leh to Daulat Beg Oldie. The Chinese had a serious objection to the construction of a bridge across the Galwan river into the Aksai Chin area. The area held strategic importance to India as well as China as it dominated the road from Leh to Daulat Beg Oldie an airstrip of great military significance to India. There had been many rounds of talks between senior military officials from both sides to diffuse the tensions. On 15 June 2020 night, hectic Chinese activities were noticed across the bridge in Galwan valley and the Indian Army decided to take up the matter with Chinese forces to ask them to respect the LAC and adhere to the position as agreed earlier during the talks.
Considering the gravity of the situation, Col Santosh Babu himself decided to lead the negotiations. However, an altercation during the discussion raised the tempers leading to a scuffle. Soon the scuffle turned into a violent clash with the Chinese soldiers attacking Col Santosh Babu and his men with deadly clubs and rods. The Indian soldiers were greatly outnumbered and the Chinese soldiers seemed to be prepared for the attack. As the clashes escalated the Company commander of 16 Bihar also joined along with other soldiers to take on the Chinese soldiers. The clashes went on for many hours during which many Indian soldiers got seriously injured. Undaunted by the violent and aggressive action by the overwhelming strength of enemy soldiers, Col Santosh Babu continued to resist the enemy’s attempt to pushback Indian troops. Despite being grievously injured, he led from the front like a true military leader to deter the vicious enemy attack. He resisted the enemy attack till his last breath, inspiring troops to hold ground. Col Santosh Babu and 19 other soldiers later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. The other brave hearts 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 CK Pradhan, Sep Aman Kumar, Sep Kundan Kumar, Sep Rajesh Orang, Sep Ganesh Ram, Sep KK Ojha, Sep Jai Kishore Singh, Sep Gurtej Singh, Sep Ankush, and Sep Gurvinder Singh.
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu was a valiant soldier and an officer par excellence who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of his duty following the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu was given the nation’s second highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra” on 26 Jan 2021 for his extraordinary courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice.
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu is survived by his father Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu, mother Smt Manjula, wife Smt Santoshi Babu, daughter Abhija and son Anirudh Teja.
The citation for the “Maha Vir Chakra” awarded to him reads :
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. Organizing 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.
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 pushback Indian troops. Despite being grievously injured, he led from the front with absolute command and control despite hostile conditions to deter the vicious enemy attack at his position. The officer resisted the enemy attack till his last breath, inspiring troops to hold ground.
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Source
- https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/officer-could-have-drowned-while-saving-others-in-congo/1620182
- https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/army-officer-who-died-in-congo-was-to-return-to-india-this-month-5997978/Disclaimer
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43 Comments
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Mahesh Kumar
2021 at 8:40 pmOur heart felt respect for the valor & might that you have shown through the service – of which we all have been audience to (operation Snow Leopard)!
Inspiration for most of people of my age, (I’m same age as Mr. Santosh Babu) as you have achieved quite a lot for India in such small time – growing up the rank & file. As whole of India was fighting COVID 19 battle staying indoors against a viral disease erupting out of China. You & your regiment was preventing the influx from the Chinese PLA in a fierce face-off… Those television visuals would not justify what you have faced to keep the sovernity of India high on the day of the operation. We salute you sir, your bravery and martyrdom will be remembered & prevail among the generations to come. As we will be proud to pass on this brave story in our generations.
JAI HIND!
Laxmi.D
2021 at 5:12 pmA 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.
Balamurali G
2021 at 5:58 pmDear 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!!!
Anurag
2021 at 9:17 amMay God be with the family . Col Santosh will remain a guiding force behind all of us. RIP – Brothers in Arm
Priya
2021 at 2:49 pmIt 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
Manjunath. B
2021 at 10:22 amThank 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
2021 at 10:10 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.
Rohan Raykar
2021 at 10:27 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।
$..रॉय..$
Yatin Sharma
2021 at 10:30 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.
Siva Krishna R S
2021 at 10:32 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
Prafull Said
2021 at 9:58 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!