A memorial has been built to commemorate the life of 20 soldiers who martyred during the clash with the Chinese Army in the eastern part of Ladakh’s Galwan valley at the unit level near the KM-120 post on the strategic road Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie. The names of 20 these martyred Indian soldiers and details of the June 15 operation have been inscribed on the memorial.
The engraved details on the memorial wall read,
“On June 15, 2020, at Galwan Valley, Col B Santosh Babu Commanding Officer, 16 Bihar led the Quick Reaction Force of 16 Bihar and attached troops tasked to evict the PLA OP from Gen AY Nala and move further to Patrolling Point 14”
It further reads, “Col B Santosh Babu led from the front and his troops fought gallantly in hand-to-hand combat, causing heavy casualties to the PLA. In the ensuing fight twenty “Gallants of Galwan” achieved martyrdom”
The tensions between India and China are heightening and the two are facing a fierce standoff since April-May at several areas, including the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Eastern Ladakh.
Under Operation Snow Leopard, Indian soldiers gave a befitting reply to squatting the Chinese PLA army at the Galwan Valley but 20 of them paid with their lives.
However, unlike India, China neither considered it necessary to honour its soldier nor recognized their sacrifice.