In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who was involved in the 2020 Galwan War. Recently, the news of Salman Khan’s upcoming film ‘Battle of Galwan’ highlighted the popularity of Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu. Now, many people are expressing their affection towards him and want to know more about his life. His life, especially his final breath actions during the Galwan Valley clash on June 15, 2020, has made him a symbol of supreme gallantry and professional excellence in modern Indian history. Here we will share all the information related to his life from beginning to end.
Biography & Early Life
Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu was born on 13 February 1983 in Suryapet, Telangana, and was the only son of his family. His father, Bikkumalla Upendra, was a retired manager at the State Bank of India, and his mother was Manjula. After completing his education, he married Santoshi in 2009. Santoshi’s marriage to Babu was her second, and she had two children from her first husband: a daughter (Abhigna) and a son (Anirudh).
Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu was a generous man. He studied at Sri Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Luxettipet and later continued his education at the Sainik Vidyalaya in Korukonda, Andhra Pradesh. His teachers and classmates described him as a “dreamer” who always aimed to join the armed forces, and also said that he was a brilliant student from the beginning.
Career as Military Officer
If we talk about his military career, he started his military career at the age of 16, which shows his consistent excellence and diverse operational experience. He joined the 105th batch of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2000 and was commissioned into the 16th Bihar Regiment from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in December 2004. On 2 December 2019, he took command of the 16 Bihar Regiment.
He also served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he was praised for both his tactical bravery during encounters with insurgents and his “sympathetic” nature towards local civilians. He was awarded India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, the Mahavir Chakra, in 2021 for his service in the Battle of Galwan and was awarded the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Card for his services in Jammu and Kashmir before Galwan.
Battle of Galwan of 15 June 2020
The Battle of Galwan was part of Operation Snow Leopard, in which Colonel Santosh Babu was tasked with establishing an observation post in the Galwan Valley on 15 June 2020. He led from the front, and when the situation turned violent, he did not stay at the command post. He personally led his troops to negotiate the removal of an illegal Chinese tent. He was badly injured in the fighting, but despite being severely injured by heavy stone pelting and sharp melee items, he refused to be evacuated.
He continued to lead his army and fought fierce hand-to-hand combat for hours in sub-zero temperatures. He faced the enemy until his last breath, ensuring his army held its ground. His sacrifice marked the first loss of a commissioned officer in action against Chinese forces since 1967. The border between India and China is called the McMahon Line, while the Ladakh border with China is called the LAC (Line of Actual Control).
Why his name is getting popularity
Now, Colonel Santosh Babu’s name is making headlines and trends on the internet as his story is being immortalised in Salman Khan’s upcoming film “Battle of Galwan 2026“. The film is scheduled to release on 17 April 2026. The film depicts the story of the war that took place on 15 June 2020, popularly known as the Battle of Galwan. The film shows how rare it was for a high-ranking colonel to be involved in this war, and how his decision to lead from the front rather than command from afar represents the pinnacle of military leadership.
This battle also gained popularity because it was fought with melee weapons due to bilateral agreements. His story reads like something out of an ancient epic, a test of physical strength, willpower, and perseverance in the face of adversity. His colleagues often described him as “sympathetic yet courageous.” The contrast between his kindness (providing medical aid to the Congolese locals) and his brutality on the battlefield creates a multifaceted hero. Images of his young son Anirudh saluting his father’s coffin moved the nation, further cementing the Colonel’s reputation as a “son of the soil” whose family shares his sacrifice.
India is not just a landmass, but it is protected by the real heroes who are deployed at the borders to ensure the security of the country. Not only Colonel Santosh Babu, but many Indians dream of serving their country till their last breath, which shows their love and respect for the country. We have provided all the details about them in this article. Stay connected to our website for more articles.
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