Suryapet salutes its braveheart

New Delhi/ Hyderabad: Three Indian Army soldiers, including a Colonel, who was commanding officer of Infantry battalion were killed in action during a skirmish with the Chinese troops at one of the standoff points in the Galwan Valley.

The Colonel, Bikkumulla Santosh Babu, belongs to Suryapet. He had his initial education in Suryapet and then went to Korukonda Sainik School and then to Indian Military Academy and rose to the level of Colonel. He belongs to Bihar 16 Battalion and has been serving at China border for last one-and-a-half years. About three months back he was transferred to Hyderabad but he could not come due to lockdown. His wife, son and daughter are living in Delhi. Army authorities had informed his wife on Monday night but his mother Manjula who stays in Suryapet was informed on Tuesday afternoon in view of her health conditions.

Though heart-broken for having lost her son, Manjula said that she was proud that her son had become martyr for the cause of the country. A pall of gloom descended on the entire town soon after the news about the death of Santosh broke. Locals thronged to Santosh's residence located in Vidya Nagar in Suryapet and poured out their sympathies to the bereaved family members.The mortal remains of Santosh Babu would reach his native place in Nalgonda in two days. Chairman of Legislative Council Gutha Sukhender Reddy spoke to Santosh Babu's parents over phone on Tuesday. Reddy also spoke to army official concerned and requested them to send the body of the brave soldier at the earliest. Army officials informed him that they would send the body of Santosh Babu within two days.

KCR praises Col

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao conveyed his condolences to the parents and wife of Col Santosh Babu. He said Santosh has made the country proud by sacrificing his life for the nation. He said the state government would support the family in all respects. He directed Minister Jagdeesh Reddy to ensure that a representative of the Government would be present when the body arrives and they should be with the family till the last rites were performed.

TS Guv salutes bravehearts

Telangana Governor Tamilasai Soundarajan has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family of Colonel B Santosh Babu, Havildar Palani and Sepoy Ojha who got martyred for our country in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley on June 15. "I salute the brave soldiers who gave their lives to the nation. Their sacrifices will always be remembered by the nation. Entire nation shares the grief of the bereaved families," she said.