Sunday, November 25, 2012

Guard of Honor for Martyr Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh, 2/8 Gorkha Rifles

Guard of Honor for Martyr Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh, 2/8 Gorkha Rifles who became a Battle Casualty on India-China border post in Arunchal Pradesh. Lt Col. Santosh was an alumni of Sainik School Tilaiya, Delhi University and Indian Military Academy.    
The body of  Martyr Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh, 2/8 Gorkha Rifles who became a Battle Casualty on India-China border in Arunchal Pradesh reached Patna Airport around 12 AM. He was given the First Guard of Honor at the Airport. After that his body was moved to Danapur Cantonment where the Last Guard of Honor was given to him by Lt General S K Singh on behalf of the Chief of the Army, General Vikram Singh.        
Lt Col Santosh Kumar Singh became a battle casualty on the night of November 20, 2012. At around 6 AM on November 21, 2012 Shri Ramakant Singh, father of Lt Col Santosh was informed by Commanding Officer Kutti about his son’s death. Earlier at 3.30 AM in early morning of November 21, 2012, Commanding Officer Kutti called Advocate Arun Kumar Singh, husband of Lt Col. Santosh’s sister to inform about the casualty.

On November 23, 2012, General Sachdeva called on behalf of the Vice Army Chief to inform me that the casualty happened at the post due to fire caused due to short circuit caused due to lightening strike in a bad weather. This  was in response to the message sent to Lt General S K Singh. As per Advocate Arun Kumar Singh, it has been reported in Patna edition of Dainik Jagran newspaper of November 24, 2012 (on page no. 5) that Lt General S K Singh informed the media that Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh died on duty due to natural calamity and as per Army Rules, death due to natural calamity on duty is treated as battle casualty.   

Earlier, Hindustan newspaper, Bhojpur edition dated November 22, 2012 had reported on page no. 4 in a single column news item that Lt Col Santosh died due to firing by the Chinese troops. Lt Col Santosh was from Karath village, Tarari Block, Bhojpur. Journalists in Patna have learnt from Army sources in Danapur that Lt Col Santosh’s death is a case of battle casualty at Kibito border. 
  
As per the version I got, Lt Col Santosh was at the last border outpost near Chinese border. Situated at height of 5000 m approx. one can have a glimpse of the Chinese mainland/Towns from this spot. I knew that Lt Col Santosh was in Himachal Pradesh because his battalion 28 GR (Gorkha Regiment/Rifles) was posted in Shimla till July 2012. His battalion was moved to Arunachal Pradesh border.  I have learnt that he joined the unit on July 12, 2012.  

Journalists in Arunchal Pradesh earnt from Army Sources that on the day prior to his death because his leave has been granted he had boarded the helicopter to leave Helicopter but due to bad weather he had return back. 

Last year, political parties had demanded immediate clarification from the Central and the State governments on the reported Chinese firing at Indo-China border in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh when Chinese Army crossed the McMohon Line and entered at Kibito area in Anjaw district of the state and had exchanged cross firing with Indian forces which lasted more than one hour from November 7 to 10, 2011. Former of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh (West) Kiren Rijiju has been demanding status quo in populated areas on both sides of the McMohan line or Line of Actual Control from the Prime Minister. He had sought reopening of border trade with China through traditional routes through reopening of Kibito and other places that has been closed since 1962. Following the death of Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh, Union Ministry of Defense should inform the Parliament about the situation at the battle front. 

Besides family members, friends, batchmates, schoolmates and fellow officers of Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh are deeply aggrieved with his untimely death. Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh is survived by his wife and his 7 years old son.
The facts stated above are not final. The version state above is subject to correction based on new inputs. Kindly share your views and inputs about Lt Col. Santosh Kumar Singh if there is any new insight in to this matter. with me, Gopal Krishna, Mb: 9818089660, E-mail: krishna1715@gmail.com

4 comments:

anurag singh said...

we are al agrieved by this untimely demise..
u sud ask for an enquiry on dis matter..

anurag singh said...

n thnx a lot for upkeeping us with all detailed informations..

anurag singh said...

HIS sacrifice wont go unnoticed..

Anonymous said...

we all knw that he was honourable person..
n above all a great human being..