Coursemates, friends honour “Hero of Galwan” Colonel Santosh Babu at National War Memorial

NEW DELHI: Coursemates and friends of Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who was killed in a clash between Indian and Chinese troops at Galwan Valley last week, paid their respects to him and honoured his courage and sacrifice at the National War Memorial in Delhi on Wednesday.

A wreath was laid for Babu, the “Hero of Galwan”, at the memorial by his friends and coursemates. “It was an emotional moment for everyone, because no one had ever thought they would remember the ever-smiling Santosh Babu this way,” a person acquainted with Babu said.

Babu was famously known by his coursemates and friends as “The Rajni” for his unique accent- named after the famous movie star Rajnikant- and ‘jingle’ for his jovial nature. “He, with his cool composure and brilliance had everyone look up to him. He was a pivot for his peers and a motivation for his subordinates,” another person said.

“He was a gentleman personified. His enthusiasm and smile was infectious and his camaraderie strong. He had the indomitable spirit of a soldier and a sparkle of a genius that now went on to shine the skies above. He was truly an epitome of the Chetwood credo of the Indian Military Academy and his stories will keep inspiring the generations ahead in days to come,” he said.

Babu was an alumnus of Sainik School Korukonda, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

He was commanding the 16 Bihar unit at the icy heights of Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh during the ongoing confrontations between the Indian and Chinese armies there. The Line of Actual Control in his area of responsibility became very sensitive, because the Chinese Army, “against the protocols, executed a huge build-up and occupied a ridge of Patrol Point 14 along the Galwan Nala” that overlooks the strategically important road connecting Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi. This led to frequent face-offs and talks at various levels had to be done to de-escalate the situation.

On June 15, Babu had gone to the Galwan Valley to ensure that the Chinese troops had withdrawn from Indian territory. However, the Chinese troops attacked him and his party. There was a hand-to-hand fight between both sides. Babu was mortally wounded and succumbed to his injuries.