Sep Kundan Kumar Ojha SM

By June 2020, Sepoy Kundan Kumar Ojha’s unit, 16 Bihar Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, was deployed in Eastern Ladakh, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as part of Operation Snow Leopard. From early May 2020, the security environment along the LAC began to deteriorate rapidly. Chinese troops made repeated attempts to obstruct India’s long-established and traditional patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, resulting in a series of tense face-offs. Similar transgressions were also reported at Kongka La, Gogra, and along the North Bank of Pangong Lake. Each of these intrusions was promptly detected and firmly countered by Indian troops, who maintained a strong but restrained posture on the ground. Parallel to these tactical responses, sustained diplomatic and military engagements were undertaken at multiple levels. India conveyed its position in unequivocal terms: any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo along the LAC would not be accepted. As tensions mounted, senior military commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed upon a phased disengagement, based on reciprocal actions by both sides. The agreement reaffirmed mutual respect for the LAC and a commitment 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 determined to ensure adherence to the disengagement agreement, Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar, personally led a small team to the designated friction point to engage the opposing side. During the course of discussions, an altercation broke out and rapidly escalated into a physical scuffle. The situation soon spiralled into a brutal and violent clash, with Chinese troops launching a coordinated assault using improvised lethal weapons such as clubs and rods. The Indian soldiers, unarmed and heavily outnumbered, were confronted by an adversary that had clearly come prepared for violence. Despite the overwhelming odds, the troops of 16 Bihar displayed extraordinary courage and resolve.

 

As the clash intensified, Sepoy Kundan Kumar Ojha, along with his comrades, rushed forward to reinforce 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, along steep ridgelines and the icy riverbed, under freezing night-time conditions. In this prolonged and savage hand-to-hand combat, many Indian soldiers sustained grievous injuries. In the course of this fierce struggle, Sepoy Kundan Kumar Ojha, Colonel Santosh Babu, and 18 other valiant 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 Chandrakanta Pradhan, Sep Aman Kumar, Sep Kundan Kumar, Sep Rajesh Orang, Sep Ganesh Ram, Sep Jay Kishor Singh, Sep Gurtej Singh, Sep Ankush, and Sep Gurbinder Singh. Sepoy Kundan Kumar Ojha exemplified fearless courage, unwavering commitment, and selfless devotion to duty. He fought with exceptional grit against overwhelming odds and laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, safeguarding the nation’s honour. 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 whose life was devoted entirely to the service of the nation.