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{{Short description|Indian Army officer (1983–2020)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]
| name = B. Santosh Babu
| honorific_suffix = [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]]
| image = B. Santosh Babu.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1983|02|13|df=yes}}<ref name="lifesketch">{{cite web|title=Life Sketch in Respect of IC-64405M Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu of 16 Bihar|url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/PIB%20Delhi/Life%20Sketch%20RD%2021%20final%20copy%20.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India|date=25 January 2021|access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>
| death_date = {{death date and age |2020|6|15 |1983|2|13 |df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Suryapet]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] (now in [[Telangana]]), [[India]]
| death_place = [[Galwan River|Galwan Valley]], [[India]]
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial =
| allegiance = {{flag|India}}
| branch = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Indian Army]]
| unit = 16 [[Bihar Regiment]]
| battles = [[Kivu conflict]] [[2020 China–India skirmishes]]{{KIA}}
| serviceyears = 2004-2020
| rank = [[File:Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|20px]] [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]
| awards = [[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]] (posthumous)
| servicenumber = IC-64405M<ref name=commission/>
| Image Size =
}}

[[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] '''Bikkumalla Santosh Babu''' {{Post-nominals|country=IND|MVC}} (13 February 1983 – 15 June 2020)<ref name=ht_brilliant/> was an [[Indian Army]] officer and the commanding officer of 16 [[Bihar Regiment]]. He was [[killed in action]] (KIA) during the [[2020 China–India skirmishes]], the first [[Indian Armed Forces]] commissioned officer since 1967 and among the first Indian soldiers to have been KIA against the Chinese [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA) since 1975.<ref>{{cite news|author=Singh|first=Sushant|date=18 June 2020|title=India-China border dispute: What happened in Nathu La in 1967?|work=Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-happened-in-nathu-la-in-1967-india-china-border-dispute-6462532/|access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="ht_clash">{{cite news|author=Singh|first=Rahul|date=17 June 2020|title=Indian officer, two others killed in clash with PLA; casualties on both sides|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-officer-two-others-killed-in-clash-with-pla-at-pangong-tso/story-Y9KgO45d76fU0Tm1QtuVpM.html|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="ht_brilliant">{{cite news|date=17 June 2020|title='Brilliant guy both in studies and duties': Col B Santosh Babu lived his dream in the Indian Army|work=Hindustan Times|editor-last=Ray|editor-first=Meenakshi|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/brilliant-guy-both-in-studies-and-duties-col-b-santosh-babu-lived-his-dream-in-the-india-army/story-ftMlISJZcfMK5KflXwcUAN.html|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref>{{refn|Prior to Babu's death, the last time a commissioned officer of the Indian Armed Forces had been killed in action against the PLA had been during the 1967 [[Nathu La and Cho La clashes]]. In October 1975, a patrol of the [[Assam Rifles]] (a paramilitary force under the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Home Ministry]]) comprising an NCO and four other soldiers was ambushed by Chinese troops, resulting in four deaths.<ref name="spokesman's">{{cite web|title=Spokesman's Statement|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/EXTERNAL%20AFFAIRS/1975-SEPT-DEC-EXTERNAL-AFFAIRS-VOL-III/EXT-1975-11-01_145.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=1 November 1975|access-date=23 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=1975 Arunachal ambush — the last time Indian soldiers died in clash with China at LAC|url=https://theprint.in/india/1975-arunachal-ambush-the-last-time-indian-soldiers-died-in-clash-with-china-at-lac/442674/|date=16 June 2020|author=Srijan Shukla |work=ThePrint |access-date=23 June 2020}}</ref>|group= n}} He was posthumously decorated with India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, the [[Maha Vir Chakra]].

==Early and personal life==
A native of [[Suryapet]] in [[Telangana]] in India, Babu was the only son of Bikkumalla Upender, a retired manager with the [[State Bank of India]],<ref>{{cite news|author=Apparasu|first=Srinivasa Rao|date=17 June 2020|title=Mortal remains of Col Santosh Babu arrive in Hyderabad|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mortal-remains-of-col-santosh-babu-arrive-in-hyderabad/story-lXaeDjX8zMdYsPx3q57S5K.html|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="mourn_sacrifice">{{cite news|author=Santosh|first=Padala|date=18 June 2020|title=Classmates mourn Col Santosh Babu's sacrifice|work=Telangana Today|url=https://telanganatoday.com/classmates-mourn-col-santosh-babus-sacrifice|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> and his wife Manjula.<ref name=ht_brilliant/><ref name="proud">{{cite news|author=Pandey|first=Ashish|date=17 June 2020|title=Sad but proud: Mother of Colonel Santosh Babu who died during India-China face-off in Ladakh|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sad-but-proud-mother-of-colonel-santosh-babu-who-died-during-india-china-face-off-in-ladakh-1689750-2020-06-17|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> From 1988 to 1993, during his class I to class V years, he studied in Sri Saraswathi Shishumandir School at [[Luxettipet]] in [[Mancherial district]].<ref name=mourn_sacrifice/> He was described by his schoolmates and teachers as a brilliant student. After primary school, Santosh was accepted to [[Sainik School, Korukonda|Sainik School in Korukonda]], [[Vizianagaram district]],<ref name=mourn_sacrifice/> where he completed his schooling.<ref name=ht_brilliant/>

In 2009, Babu married Santoshi.<ref name="dejected">{{cite news|author=Nichenametla|first=Prasad|date=16 June 2020|title=Dejected but proud, says martyred Colonel's mother|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/dejected-but-proud-says-martyred-colonels-mother-850382.html|access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref> The couple had a daughter Abhigna (aged nine at her father's death) and a son Anirudh (aged four). His family resided in Delhi.<ref name=ht_brilliant/> Santoshi was appointed as a Deputy Collector in the revenue department of the [[Government of Telangana|Telangana government]] following her husband's death, following which she would undergo the required training.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 August 2020|title=Colonel Santosh Babu’s wife joins as deputy collector|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/col-babus-wife-joins-as-dy-collector/articleshow/77567205.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816010829/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/col-babus-wife-joins-as-dy-collector/articleshow/77567205.cms |archive-date=16 August 2020 }}</ref>

==Army career==
On 27 November 2000,<ref name="lifesketch"/> Babu joined the 105 course of the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] and subsequently went to the [[Indian Military Academy]] in 2004. During his time at the NDA, he belonged to the "November" squadron.<ref name="taken_charge">{{cite news|author=Gurung|first=S. K.|date=17 June 2020|title=Col Santosh Babu had taken charge of army's 16 Bihar Unit in December|work=Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/col-santosh-babu-had-taken-charge-of-armys-16-bihar-unit-in-december/articleshow/76416099.cms|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> He was commissioned as a [[lieutenant]] in 16 Bihar on 10 December 2004, one of 105 successful cadets.<ref name=commission>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1280 |date=30 July 2005 |url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2005/W_31_2011_111.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> After passing out, he was posted to Jammu and Kashmir state.<ref name="slain">{{cite news|date=16 June 2020|title=India-China border face-off: Slain Colonel Santosh Babu fulfilled father's dream to serve nation|work=Indian Express|agency=PTI|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-china-border-dispute-slain-army-officer-colonel-santosh-babu-6462220/|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref>

Babu was promoted to [[Captain (armed forces)|captain]] on 10 December 2006,<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1150 |date=14 July 2007 |url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2007/W_28_2011_051.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> followed by promotion to [[major]] on 10 December 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1109 |date=11 June 2011 |url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2011/W_24_2011_088.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> He attended the [[Defence Services Staff College]] at Wellington. During his service, he was attached to the [[Rashtriya Rifles]] in Jammu and Kashmir, and also served with the [[MONUSCO|UN peacekeeping force]] in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (DRC) during the ongoing [[Kivu conflict]].<ref name="taken_charge"/> Colleagues who served with him described him as "empathetic, yet bold." During a major joint operation conducted by DRC and South African forces against [[Nduma Defense of Congo]] (NDC) rebels, Babu and his unit were caught in cross-fire, yet his actions aided in preventing the rebels from inflicting casualties on the joint force.<ref name="recalls">{{cite news|author=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=17 June 2020|title='Will be busy for couple of days, be strong' — wife recalls last chats with Col Santosh Babu|work=ThePrint|url=https://theprint.in/defence/will-be-busy-for-couple-of-days-be-strong-wife-recalls-last-chats-with-col-santosh-babu/443343/|access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref> During his posting in the Congo, Babu was described as kind and generous towards local residents, assisting them with medical and other needs.<ref name="recalls"/>

Babu was promoted [[Lieutenant colonel|lieutenant-colonel]] on 10 December 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=804 |date=23 March 2019|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2019/200611.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> After serving as a divisional officer and Instructor Class "B" at the NDA, he was appointed a GSO I at the HQ of 35 Infantry Brigade.<ref name="lifesketch"/> He received another posting to Jammu and Kashmir in 2019,<ref name="dejected"/> and assumed command of 16 Bihar on 2 December 2019.<ref name="lifesketch"/><ref name="taken_charge"/> He was promoted full [[Colonel (India)|colonel]] in February 2020.<ref name=ht_brilliant/> At the time of his death, he was expecting to be posted to Hyderabad.<ref name="slain"/>

==Death==
[[File:Narendra Modi paying tributes to the valour of the soldiers, during his visit to Nimu in Ladakh on July 03, 2020.jpg|thumb|PM Modi paying tribute to fallen soldiers in Ladakh. B. Santosh Babu can be seen in the photograph closest to Prime Minister Narendra Modi|275x275px]]
Following high-level talks during the 2020 skirmishes with the PLA in eastern Ladakh, 16 Bihar monitored the Chinese forces in the [[Galwan Valley]] to ensure their disengagement. According to Indian sources, on 14 June, a group of PLA troops erected tents and an observation post on the LAC in contravention of an agreement made on 6 June and India's [[Differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control|perception of the Line of Actual control]].<ref name="valour">{{cite news |title=Valour of Col Santosh Babu: How he fought the Chinese in Galwan Valley and led his troops |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/valour-of-col-santosh-babu-how-he-fought-the-chinese-in-galwan-valley-and-led-his-troops-1691239-2020-06-21|date=21 June 2020|work=India Today |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref><ref name=proud/> Babu led a delegation and made an attempt to communicate, which soon resulted in a fistfight with both sides sustaining injuries.<ref name="valour" /> Reinforcements were sent for, more melee continued resulting in more injuries on both sides.<ref name="taken_charge" /><ref name="valour" /> The Indian military said that in response, the soldiers of 16 Bihar 'reportedly' killed 40 to 45 soldiers of PLA in hand-to-hand combat and inflicted heavy casualties upon them.<ref name="proud" /><ref name="taken_charge" /><ref name="attack">{{cite news|author=Manjeet Singh Negi|date=16 June 2020|title=India-China clash: Wired clubs, stones used to attack Indian soldiers; what happened last night|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-china-clash-wired-clubs-stones-used-to-attack-indian-soldiers-what-happened-last-night-1689724-2020-06-16|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> The PLA admitted the death of at least four of its soldiers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-02-19|title=China reveals four soldiers killed in June 2020 border clash with India|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-india-border-idUSKBN2AJ04B|access-date=2021-10-22}}</ref>

Babu's body was flown by military aircraft to the military airport at [[Hakimpet]] in Telangana on 17 June. From there, his remains were driven to his family's farm at Kesaram village in Suryapet. His body was cremated with full military honours on 18 June, with his father lighting the funeral pyre. Despite the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 epidemic]], his funeral was attended by thousands of mourners from the area, with police on hand to ensure distancing and hygiene were maintained.<ref name="cremated">{{cite news|author=Apparasu|first=Srinivasa Rao|date=18 June 2020|title=Col Santosh Babu, killed in Ladakh clash, cremated with military honours|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/col-santosh-babu-killed-in-ladakh-clash-laid-to-rest-with-military-honours/story-XRTiNKeKnzetS8EvxYH8lM.html|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref>

Following Babu's death, Telangana Chief Minister [[K. Chandrashekar Rao]] announced the state government would award his family an ''[[ex gratia]]'' payment of {{INRConvert|5|c|0}}, along with a residential plot and a Group-I government job for his wife Santoshi.<ref name="KCR_announces">{{cite news|author=Apparasu|first=Srinivasa Rao|date=19 June 2020|title=KCR announces Rs 5 crore for Col Santosh's family, Rs 10 lakh each for kin of 19 soldiers|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kcr-announces-rs-5-crore-for-col-santosh-s-family-rs-10-lakh-each-for-kin-of-19-soldiers/story-Kdt6sjfgl1cU3AsEJAKu5N.html|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> The chief minister also announced the state would award {{INRConvert|10|l|0}} each to the families of the 19 other soldiers who had been killed. CM Chandrasekhar Rao visited Santosh Babu's home at Suryapet June 22 to give the strength and to assure the support of Telangana Government.<ref name="KCR_announces"/>

In the 2021 Republic Day honours list, Babu was posthumously decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), the second-highest Indian wartime gallantry decoration.<ref name="mahavir">{{cite news |title=Galwan braveheart Col Santosh Babu named for Mahavir Chakra in R-Day honours|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/galwan-braveheart-col-santosh-babu-named-for-mahavir-chakra-in-r-day-honours-101611569683269.html|date=25 January 2021|author=Shishir Gupta|work=Hindustan Times |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> His widow and mother received the decoration on his behalf at an investiture ceremony on 23 November.<ref>{{cite news |title=Galwan clashes: Col Santosh Babu awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously, Vir Chakra for five others|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/colonel-b-santosh-babu-who-died-fighting-chinese-troops-in-galwan-awarded-the-mahavir-chakra7636833/|date=24 November 2021|author=|work=The Indian Express |access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref> Babu's full citation reads as follows:<ref>{{cite web|title=President of India Presents Gallantry Awards for the year 2021|url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2021/nov/doc2021112301.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India|date=23 November 2021|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref>

{{Quotation|{{center|'''IC-64405M COLONEL BIKKUMALLA SANTOSH BABU''' 
'''16TH BATTALION THE BIHAR REGIMENT''' 
'''(POSTHUMOUS)'''}}
Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer 16 BIHAR deployed in Galwan Valley (Eastern Ladakh) during Operation SNOW LEOPARD, was tasked to establish an Observation Post in [the] face of the enemy. Organising and briefing his troops about the situation with a sound plan, he successfully executed the task. 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 by the overwhelming strength of [the] enemy soldiers, the officer in [the] true spirit of service before self continued to resist the enemy’s attempt to push back Indian troops.

Despite being grievously injured, Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu led from the front with absolute command and control despite hostile conditions to deter the vicious enemy attack on his position. In the skirmish that broke out and ensuing hand-to-hand combat with [the] enemy soldiers, he valiantly resisted the enemy attack till his last breath, inspiring and motivating his troops to hold [their] ground. Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu displayed exemplary leadership and astute professionalism. He showed conspicuous bravery in the face of [the] enemy and made [the] supreme sacrifice for the nation.}}

==Decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|[[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|x30px]] [[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|x30px]] [[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|x30px]]
|-
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|x30px]] [[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|x30px]] [[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|x30px]] [[File:UN MONUC ribbon bar with 2.png|x30px]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Maha Vir Chakra]] (posthumous)
| colspan="2"|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]] (clasp for Jammu and Kashmir)
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[MONUSCO|UN Mission in Congo Medal]]
|}

==Notes==
{{Reflist |60em|group=n}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Babu, B. Santosh}}
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel killed in action]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Telangana]]
[[Category:United Nations military personnel]]
[[Category:People from Telangana]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Military Academy alumni]]

B. Santosh Babu - Revision history

Bot at 05:23, 28 October 2022