Kargil Veteran Colonel Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away Due To Heart Attack
Having led a unit of 40 soldiers in a high-altitude operation during the Kargil War, Col. Wangchuk successfully evicted 136 Pakistani troops in a three-day battle fought under extreme conditions, in deep snow
Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Retd.), a recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra and a distinguished veteran of the 1999 Kargil War, passed away suddenly due to heart attack in Leh.
Having led a unit of 40 soldiers in a high-altitude operation during the Kargil War, Col. Wangchuk successfully evicted 136 Pakistani troops in a three-day battle fought under extreme conditions, in deep snow. He played a prominent role in the mission carried out at an altitude of nearly 18,000 feet and it earned him the Maha Vir Chakra. The mission is regarded as one of the early significant successes for Indian forces during the conflict.
Known as the 'Lion of Ladakh', he leaves behind a legacy of valour, leadership and strategic prowess. His exceptional bravery, leadership and dedication to the nation even in the face of hardship, continue to be revered as a standard for battlefield leadership and valour.
Col. Wangchuk passed away early in the morning. The news was initially shared by senior Indian Army veteran Yogendra Kumar Joshi, who expressed profound grief over the loss to the nation. He was among the first officers to be recommended for a gallantry award while the conflict was still ongoing. Six soldiers from his unit were also honoured with gallantry medals for their role in the mission.
Col. Wangchuk was born on May 11, 1964, in Sankar village of Leh district in Ladakh. He dedicated over 30 years of his life to military service and retired in 2018.
