B. Santosh Babu
B. Santosh Babu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 February 1983 |
| Died | 15 June 2020 (aged 37) |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch | Indian Army |
| Service years | 2004-2020 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Service number | IC-64405M |
| Unit | 16 Bihar Regiment |
| Conflicts | Kivu conflict 2020 China–India skirmishes † |
| Awards | Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous) |
Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu MVC (Telugu: బిక్కుమల్ల సంతోష్ బాబు; 13 February 1983 – 15 June 2020) was an Indian Army officer and the commanding officer of 16 Bihar Regiment. He was killed in action (KIA) during the 2020 China–India skirmishes, the first Indian Armed Forces commissioned officer since 1967 and among the first Indian soldiers to have been KIA against the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) since 1975. He was posthumously decorated with India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra.