The Supreme Commander of the armed forces, President Ram Nath Kovind, presented Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations in Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

Colonel Santosh Babu, who laid down his life while resisting a vicious attack by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at Ladakh's Galwan Valley last year, was accorded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously today.

In an official citation, the central government described how Colonel Babu led the defence from the front despite being grievously injured, in recognition of which he is being posthumously accorded the military decoration, which is the second-highest of its type in India after the Param Vir Chakra.

“Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, commanding officer of the 16 Bihar regiment deployed in Galwan Valley (Eastern Ladakh) during Operation Snow Leopard, was tasked to establish an observation post in face of the enemy,” the citation went.

“While holding the position his column faced stiff resistance from the adversary who attacked using lethal and sharp weapons along with heavy stone pelting from adjoining heights. Undaunted by the violent and aggressive action overwhelming strength of enemy soldiers, the officer in true spirit of service before self, continued to resist the enemy's attempt to pushback Indian troops.”

“Despite being grievously injured, Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu led from the front with absolute command and control despite hostile conditions to deter the vicious enemy attack at his position,” it read. “In the skirmish that broke out and ensuing hand to hand combat with enemy soldiers, he valiantly resisted the enemy attack till his last breath, inspiring and motivating his troops to hold ground.”

“Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu displayed exemplary leadership and astute professionalism. He showed conspicuous bravery in the face of enemy and made supreme sacrifice for the nation,” the document added.

The government also accorded posthumous honours to other personnel of the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives to resist the Chinese attack at Galwan Valley. Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren, Havildar K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh, Sepoy Gurtej Singh, all of who have been recognised for their gallant actions during Operation Snow Leopard were accorded their Vir Chakras posthumously.

Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed an enemy jet during an aerial combat with Pakistan in 2019 and was held captive for three days in that country, was on Monday honoured with the Vir Chakra award by President Ram Nath Kovind.

The second-highest peacetime gallantry award Kirti Chakra was awarded to Sapper Prakash Jadhav of the Indian Army for valour displayed by him during an operation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal was accorded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) for his role in an operation where five terrorists were eliminated and 200 kg explosive material was recovered. His wife Lt Nitika Kaul and mother received the award.

Jammu and Kashmir sub-inspector, Imran Hussain Tak conferred the Shaurya Chakra posthumously by President Kovind. His wife, Gulnaaz Akhtar, received the honour on his behalf.

Sepoy Hari Singh of 55th Rashtriya Rifles awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously for killing a terrorist and injuring another in Pulwama, J&K in 2019.

President Kovind presented the Shaurya Chakra to Lance Naik Sandeep Singh posthumously, for killing one foreign terrorist and injuring two others in an operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018.

Rifleman Ajveer Singh Chauhan was awarded Shaurya Chakra for displaying raw courage, presence of mind, and eliminating two terrorists on 18 August 2018 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Challapilla Narasimha Rao conferred Shaurya Chakra posthumously for his act of gallantry in ensuring the safety of lives and protecting the larger interest of the Energy Maharatna ONGC

President Kovind presented Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) to Naib Subedar Sombir for killing an A++ category terrorist during an operation in Jammu and Kashmir. His wife Suman Devi and mother Rajendra Devi received the honour.

Additionally, President Kovind also conferred the Shaurya Chakra gallantry award to Major Maheshkumar Bhure who is an alumnus of Sainik School Satara. According to the Shaurya Chakra citation, Major Bhure led an operation in which six top terrorist commanders were killed.

Gallantry Awards have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces as well as other lawfully constituted forces and civilians.

The prestigious awards are usually conferred to the awardees/Next-of-Kins (NoKs) by the President at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held every year at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

The order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.

Image Courtesy: PTI