Sepoy Chandrakanta Pradhan

By June 2020, Sep C.K. Pradhan’s unit, 16 Bihar, was deployed in Eastern Ladakh, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as part of Operation Snow Leopard. From early May onwards, Chinese forces began attempting to block India’s long-established and traditional patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, leading to a series of tense face-offs. Similar transgression attempts were reported at Kongka La, Gogra, and along the North Bank of Pangong Lake. Each of these incursions was promptly detected and firmly countered by Indian troops. In parallel, sustained diplomatic and military engagements conveyed India’s clear position that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo along the LAC was unacceptable. As tensions mounted, senior military commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed to a phased disengagement based on reciprocal actions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect the LAC and to avoid activities that could disturb the prevailing situation. However, in a blatant violation of this understanding, Chinese forces instigated a violent confrontation on the night of 15 June 2020 in the Galwan Valley.

 

Recognising the gravity of the situation and upholding the highest traditions of leadership, Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Battalion, personally led a small team to the friction point to engage the Chinese side and ensure compliance with the disengagement agreement. During the discussions, an altercation broke out, rapidly escalating into a scuffle. The situation soon spiralled into a brutal and violent clash, with Chinese troops—armed with improvised lethal weapons such as clubs and rods—launching a coordinated assault. The Indian soldiers were heavily outnumbered, and it became evident that the opposing side had come prepared for violence. As the clash intensified, Sep C.K. Pradhan, along with his comrades, rushed forward to support their embattled fellow soldiers, standing shoulder to shoulder in defence of their commanding officer and unit. The confrontation raged for several hours in treacherous terrain under freezing conditions. During this prolonged and savage melee, many Indian soldiers sustained grievous injuries. Ultimately, Sep Chandrakanta Pradhan, Col Santosh Babu, and 18 other brave soldiers succumbed to their injuries and were martyred in the line of duty. The 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 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. Aged just 22 years, Sep Chandrakanta Pradhan exemplified fearless courage, unwavering commitment, and selfless devotion to duty. He laid down his life at the age of 28 years in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, defending the nation’s honour against overwhelming odds. In recognition of his exceptional bravery, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the "Sena Medal" on 26 January 2021—a fitting tribute to a young soldier who gave everything for the nation.