Lieutenant Colonel from Himachal Martyred in Galwan Valley Landslide; Had Recently Been Promoted and Was Father to an 18-Month-Old

Shimla, July 31
A tragic incident struck the Indian Army on Wednesday morning in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. Around 11:30 AM, a military convoy was en route to the Charbagh firing range when a sudden landslide engulfed one of the vehicles. Massive boulders came crashing down, completely burying the army truck beneath them.

In the devastating incident, Lieutenant Colonel Bhanu Pratap Singh Mankotia (33) from Himachal Pradesh and Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh from Gurdaspur were martyred on the spot. Three other personnel sustained serious injuries. The loss is not only a heavy blow to the Army but to the entire nation.

Who was Lt. Col. Bhanu Pratap Singh?

Lt. Col. Bhanu Pratap Singh hailed from the Shahpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district. He was living in Abrol Nagar, Pathankot, with his family. Father to an 18-month-old son, Vyom, he had recently been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in June 2025. He served with distinction in the Indian Army’s 14 Horse Regiment.

He began his military career at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, where he stood out as an exceptional cadet. His outstanding performance earned him two of the academy’s highest honors—the Sword of Honour and the Gold Medal—a testament to his dedication, leadership, and excellence from the very beginning.

Lt. Col. Singh is survived by his father, Retired Colonel R.P.S. Mankotia, mother Sunita Mankotia, and wife Tarini, all of whom are deeply devastated by the loss. At just 33 years old, his supreme sacrifice has left a lasting legacy. On Thursday, he was cremated with full military honors near the Chakki bridge on the Jalandhar Bypass in Pathankot.

Leaders Pay Tribute

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri expressed profound grief over the incident.
“The contribution of Lt. Col. Bhanu Pratap Mankotia and Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh to the nation is invaluable. Their bravery will forever be remembered,” said the Chief Minister. “The state government stands firmly with the family in this hour of grief.”

The Deputy CM added, “These two brave soldiers laid down their lives in service to the motherland. The nation will always salute their courage and dedication.”