New memorial for 20 Army jawans who were martyred in Galwan valley clash

New Delhi: A new memorial has been raised in Ladakh to pay respects to the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers during border skirmishes at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). These brave jawans inflicted heavy casualty on Chinese side during the violent face-off and evicted them an observation post near the Y-junction area under Operation Snow Leopard.

Names of these 20 Galwan braves have been inscribed on the memorial built near KM-120 post on the strategic road Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie, Ladakh.

The memorial wall reads, “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.”

“The column successfully evicted the PLA OP from Y Nala and reached PP 14 where a fierce skirmish broke out between the IA and PLA troops. Col B Santosh Babu led from the front and his troops fought gallantly in a hand to hand combat, causing heavy casualties to the PLA. In the ensuing fight twenty “Gallants of Galwan” achieved martyrdom,” it says.

India and China have been engaged in a tense standoff in Eastern Ladakh as well as some plain areas along the LAC since April-May. Indian forces have raised strong objection to transgression by Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. Several rounds of borders talks have taken place between top commanders of both sides but the situation remains tense as earlier.

Galwan clash came as the flashpoint between two sides, with Chinese troops received severe damages.