Lance Naik Botta Satyam

Lance Naik Botta Satyam hailed from Andhra Pradesh and belonged to the Regiment of Artillery of Indian Army. After completing his studies,  Lance Naik Botta Satyam joined the Army and was inducted into 11 Field Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery and was trained as a gunner. After serving for a couple of years with his unit, Lance Naik Botta Satyam was later deputed to 6 RR unit, deployed in Kupwara area of J & K for counter insurgency operations.

Kupawara Operation : 4th Oct 2015

During 2015, Lance Naik Botta Satyam unit was deployed in Kupwara district of J & K and was engaged in operations against the militants on a regular basis. On 4^th Oct 2015, information was received by the security forces from the intelligence sources about the presence of some militants in dense Hafruda forests of Handwara, 85 km northwest of Srinagar. Consequently a joint operation was launched by the Army and J & K police to nab the militants. The Joint team comprising troops from 6 RR battalion of Army and J & K police  cordoned off the suspected area and spotted the militants. However the militants  taking advantage of the dense forest gave a slip to the security forces.

The militant group later scattered in vast Hafruda forests. The dense forests and thick undergrowth in the forest have made it a preferred hideout for militants over the years. But the troops continued to comb the area in search of militants, who found their escape routes blocked. As the search operation by the troops was underway, the militants hiding in strategical places opened fire at the column of troops. A  gun battle ensued thereafter with heavy exchange of fire. The militants were heavily armed with automatic weapons and were firing from positions of advantage under the cover of darkness and thick foliage. During the exchange of fire four soldiers of 6 RR including Lance Naik Botta Satyam , Sepoy Surinder Singh , Naik Gurdev and Sepoy Surendra got severely injured. They later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred.

Lance Naik Botta Satyam was a valiant and dedicated soldier who laid down his life in the service of the nation. He is survived by his father Sri Ramulu, mother Smt Narayanamma, wife Srivani and sons Vivekananda and Bhuvan.