Sepoy Ganesh Hansda SM

By June 2020, Sepoy Ganesh Hansda’s unit 16 Bihar was deployed in Eastern Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as part of heightened operational preparedness under Operation Snow Leopard. From early May, the situation along the LAC had begun to deteriorate steadily. Chinese troops made repeated attempts to block India’s long-established and traditional patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, leading to a series of tense and prolonged face-offs. Similar transgressions were reported at other friction points, including Kongka La, Gogra, and the North Bank of Pangong Lake. Each intrusion was promptly detected on the ground and firmly countered by Indian troops, who maintained their positions with restraint and resolve. Alongside these ground-level measures, India pursued sustained diplomatic and military engagement to defuse the crisis. It was conveyed in unequivocal terms that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo along the LAC would not be accepted. As tensions continued to rise, senior military commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and arrived at an understanding for a phased disengagement, based on reciprocal actions and mutual respect for the LAC. Both sides reiterated their commitment to avoid any activity that could disturb the prevailing situation on the ground.

 

However, this understanding was flagrantly violated on the night of 15 June 2020, when Chinese forces instigated a violent confrontation in the Galwan Valley. Recognising the seriousness of the situation and acting in accordance with the highest traditions of command responsibility, Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Battalion, personally led a team to the friction point to engage the opposing side and ensure compliance with the agreed disengagement process. During the discussions, tempers flared and a minor altercation quickly escalated into a physical scuffle. What followed was a sudden and brutal clash. Chinese troops, armed with improvised and deadly weapons such as clubs and rods, launched a coordinated assault. The Indian soldiers found themselves heavily outnumbered, making it evident that the violence had been premeditated. As the situation spiralled, Sepoy Ganesh Hansda, along with other soldiers of the battalion, rushed forward without hesitation to reinforce their comrades. Standing shoulder to shoulder, they fought valiantly to protect their commanding officer and fellow soldiers amid treacherous terrain, darkness, and sub-zero temperatures. The confrontation continued for several hours in extremely harsh conditions. Many Indian soldiers sustained severe injuries during the savage hand-to-hand combat. In the course of this fierce and unequal battle, Sepoy Ganesh Hansda, Col Santosh Babu, and 18 other brave soldiers laid down their lives 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 Chandan Kumar, Sep Chandrakanta Pradhan, 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. Sepoy Ganesh Hansda exemplified fearless courage, unwavering commitment, and selfless devotion to duty. Fighting against overwhelming odds, he upheld the honour of the Indian Army and made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation. In recognition of his exceptional bravery and devotion to duty, he was posthumously awarded the "Sena Medal" on 26 January 2021—a solemn and fitting tribute to a young soldier who gave his life for India.