Galwan Valley Hero Santosh Babu awarded with Maha Vir Chakra posthumously

Colonel Santosh Babu, who laid down his life for the nation during the brutal confrontation with Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Galwan Valley in May last year, was awarded the second-highest wartime gallantry medal – the Mahavir Chakra posthumously by President Ram Nath Kovind in an investiture ceremony on Tuesday. His mother and wife received the award from the President.

The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the second highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It may be awarded posthumously. Literally Maha Veera Chakra means extraordinarily bravery award.

Babu was the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar regiment during the Operation Snow Leopard in Galwan Valley located in Eastern Ladakh and was tasked to establish an observation post in face of the enemy.

Besides Colonel Babu, Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren, Havildar K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh, Sepoy Gurtej Singh will receive their Vir Chakras posthumously for their gallant actions against the vicious attack by the Chinese Army in the Galwan Valley in June last year as part of the Operation Snow Leopard.