Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh Mankotia

Lieutenant Colonel Bhanu Pratap Singh Mankotia hailed from Tiara village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, and later made his home in Pathankot, Punjab. He was the son of Colonel R.P.S. Mankotia (Retd) and Smt Sunita Mankotia, and hailed from a proud lineage of soldiers. A fourth-generation officer, he inherited a deep-rooted military tradition and carried forward his family’s legacy of service to the nation with honour and pride. Raised in a disciplined and patriotic environment, young Bhanu was instilled with the values of courage, commitment, and integrity from an early age. Driven by an unwavering passion to serve the motherland, he earned a place at the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), where he laid the foundation for an illustrious military career. His all-round excellence, leadership qualities, and determination saw him excel in every sphere of training, culminating in the award of the coveted Gold Medal—recognition of his outstanding performance and leadership potential. On completing his NDA tenure, he joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) for the final phase of his training. He was commissioned into The Scinde Horse (14 HORSE) on 9th June 2012.

He earned the Sword of Honour for being the Best All-Round Gentleman Cadet and the President’s Gold Medal for securing the first position in his course at the Indian Military Academy. From a very young age, Bhanu had displayed a pursuit of excellence in both academics and sports, and at just 20 years and 9 months, he became one of the youngest Gentlemen Cadets of his IMA course to be commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army. Over the course of his 13 years of service, Lt Col Bhanu served across diverse and challenging terrains—deserts, the super high-altitude region of the Siachen Glacier, and the Galwan sector of Ladakh. As a young officer, he represented the Indian Army in an international military competition in Russia. He also served as an instructor at his alma mater, the National Defence Academy, where he played a significant role in moulding future military leaders. Recognised for his professional excellence, he was selected for the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan, where he served as an instructor for two years. More recently, while serving at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), he was awarded the Manekshaw Medal for being the Best Student and the Gorkha Brigade Medal for demonstrating exceptional jointmanship and showcasing his intellectual acumen and brilliance.

Operational Movement (Ladakh): 30 July 2025

In 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Bhanu Pratap Singh was serving with the 14 Horse (Scinde Horse) Regiment, a distinguished and battle-honoured armoured unit of the Indian Army. That year, the regiment was deployed in the strategically significant Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir—a sector of immense operational importance due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) and the volatile security environment. The 14 Horse Regiment was operating in this sector under the overall operational control of the XIV Corps, popularly known as the Fire and Fury Corps, a formation of the Indian Army under the Udhampur-based Northern Command. The Corps was responsible for military deployment in the strategically sensitive Kargil–Leh sector, safeguarding India’s frontiers with both China and Pakistan, and also defending the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield. This high-altitude theatre, dotted with mountaintop posts and forward bases, demanded constant vigilance to prevent the infiltration of militants and safeguard India’s territorial integrity. The 14 Horse (Scinde Horse) Regiment played a pivotal role in maintaining the operational readiness of multiple Army formations under its parent Command Headquarters. Apart from its primary combat responsibilities, the regiment was tasked with providing specialized expertise in the repair, maintenance, and upkeep of a wide range of armoured vehicles, weapon systems, and support equipment. These duties often required its personnel to move across vast distances under challenging and hazardous conditions, ensuring that every combat unit within its Area of Responsibility (AOR) remained mission-ready at all times.

The AOR of the regiment encompassed treacherous mountainous terrain, characterised by extreme altitudes, bone-chilling winters, and unpredictable weather patterns. The movement of troops and heavy military vehicles through narrow, steep, and winding mountain roads was a daily challenge, demanding skill, patience, and resilience. Yet, despite these adversities, the soldiers of the 14 Sindh Horse remained steadfast in their commitment, ensuring seamless support to operations in the sector. On 30 July 2025, Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh was tasked with an operational movement assignment along with a team of soldiers. The mission required them to travel by road as part of a convoy of 60 Armoured Regiment from Durbuk to Chongtash in the Galwan region of Ladakh—a route known for its rugged topography and unstable rock formations. Fully aware of the risks, Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh led from the front, as was his nature, ensuring that his men were prepared for the demanding journey. At around 11:30 am, as their military vehicle negotiated a particularly challenging stretch of road, a massive boulder suddenly broke loose from a cliffside and crashed onto the vehicle with devastating force. The impact was catastrophic—the vehicle was mangled beyond recognition. Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh and Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh, both from the 14 Horse (Scinde Horse) Regiment, sustained fatal injuries and succumbed on the spot.

At just 33 years of age, Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, embodying the highest traditions of courage, leadership, and selfless service of the Indian Army. A dedicated and highly competent officer, he was admired for his professional excellence, unwavering commitment, and the ability to inspire those under his command. 

Lieutenant Colonel Bhanu Pratap Singh Mankotia is survived by his father, Col R.P.S. Mankotia (Retd), mother Smt Sunita Mankotia, wife Smt Tarini, son Vyom, and younger brother Major Surya Pratap Singh Mankotia (Currently serving in the Army).