A memorial has been built for the 20 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in action against the Chinese army in the Galwan Valley after evicting them from an observation post near the Y-junction area in Ladakh under Operation Snow Leopard, according to sources.
The memorial has been built at the unit level near the KM-120 post on the strategic road Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie, Ladakh. The memorial has names of 20 soldiers and the details of the June 15 operation.
As per the operational details put out on the memorial wall, "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 standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the Chinese army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala.
The situation worsened after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in violent clashes with Chinese troops in the Galwan valley in June.
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