Signalman Santosh Gope

Signalman Santosh Gope, son of Shri Jitu Gope and Smt Saro Devi, hailed from Gumla, a district in Jharkhand known for its rich cultural heritage and tradition of producing courageous soldiers. From a young age, he exhibited a strong sense of duty and patriotism, which ignited his aspiration to serve the nation. He completed his Class X from Nirmala High School, near his village, and pursued his Intermediate education at St. Ignatius’ High School, Gumla. Soon after completing his studies, he decided to join the Indian Army to fulfill his dream of serving the country. In 2012, Signalman Santosh Gope was recruited into the Corps of Signals, a crucial arm of the Indian Army responsible for establishing and maintaining secure communication networks. The Corps of Signals plays a pivotal role in modern military operations by ensuring seamless and uninterrupted information exchange across various units, both in times of war and peace.

Undergoing rigorous military training, he developed expertise in advanced communication systems, tactical field networking, and encryption protocols. His role required him to handle sophisticated communication equipment, secure transmission lines, and maintain critical battlefield connectivity, ensuring smooth coordination between different military units. Over the years, his technical acumen and operational experience made him a highly skilled and dependable soldier. By 2019, after six years of dedicated service, he had transformed into a battle-hardened soldier, fully prepared for the challenges of modern warfare. 

Baramulla Operation (J&K): 12 Oct 2019

During  2015, Signalman Santosh Gope’s unit, 161 Infantry Brigade Sig Coy, was deployed in Baramulla district, Jammu & Kashmir, as part of Operation Rakshak—an ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration mission to combat militant activities in the region. Given the high presence of militants operating within the unit’s Area of Responsibility (AOR), the troops were required to maintain an elevated state of vigilance and readiness at all times. The unpredictable nature of the threat meant that security forces had to be prepared to launch swift operations at short notice to neutralize hostile elements and safeguard the region. In early October 2019, intelligence sources reported the presence of hardcore militants in the Rampur Sector of Baramulla district, a strategically sensitive area known for infiltration attempts and militant activity. Based on this actionable intelligence, the security forces planned a search and cordon operation to eliminate the threat.

The operation was scheduled for 12 October 2019, and Signalman Santosh Gope was assigned as part of the team tasked with executing the mission. As a vital member of the Corps of Signals, his role was to ensure seamless communication among the troops, a critical factor in the success of any military operation. However, as the security forces were conducting their operation, Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the Rampur Sector, launching unprovoked cross-border shelling and firing at Indian positions. The sudden escalation turned the situation into a high-intensity combat scenario, with the enemy targeting security personnel with heavy artillery and small arms fire. Amidst the heavy exchange of fire, Signalman Santosh Gope fought valiantly, ensuring uninterrupted communication and coordination among his team. In the line of duty, while defending his comrades and the integrity of the mission, Signalman Santosh Gope made the supreme sacrifice at Baramulla. His courage, dedication, and selfless service in the face of extreme adversity exemplify the highest traditions of the Indian Army and the Corps of Signals. 

Signalman Santosh Gope is survived by his father Shri Jitu Gope and mother Smt Saro Devi.