“Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Col. Sonam Wangchuk, MVC, the valiant Kargil War hero, who made the entire nation and Ladakh proud, with his bravery during the war. His indomitable courage and service to the nation will forever inspire generations. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti !!” Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena wrote on his X handle paying tributes to the departed veteran.
Known as the Lion of Ladakh in the Indian Army, Wangchuk was commissioned in the Assam Regiment after passing out from the Officers Training School (OTS) Chennai, since renamed as Officers Training Academy. His heroics during the Kargil war, while leading his troops drawn from Ladakh Scouts, were inspirational and infused lots of enthusiasm among the troops that were being inducted into Kargil heights that summer.
As a young Major, he was leading only 30 troops in one operation at Chorbat La, he scored the first victory of the Kargil war on May 31, 1999. This victory against all odds and pushing back the Pakistani troops electrified the Indian Army across the wide swathe of unforgiving heights and freezing temperatures. The Citation on his Maha Vir Chakra(MVC) reads: “On 30 May 1999, Major Sonam Wangchuk was leading a column of The Indus Wing, Ladakh Scouts as a part of ongoing operations in Op VIJAY in the Batalik Sector. The column was tasked to occupy Ridge Line on the Line of Control in a glaciated area at a height of about 5,500 metres. This was essential so as to pre-empt its occupation by the enemy and any subsequent infiltration”.
While moving towards the Line of Control(LoC), the enemy ambushed the column by firing from a vantage position. In the process, one NCO[6] of The Ladakh Scouts were killed. Major Sonam Wangchuk held his column together and in a daring counter ambush, led a raid on the enemy position from a flank, killing two enemy soldiers. The officer also recovered one heavy machine gun and one Universal machine gun, ammunition, controlled stores and three dead bodies of the enemy personnel.
Thereafter, the officer took stock of all forces along the Chorbat La axis in the Batalik Sector and cleared the axis up to the Line of Control of all enemy intrusions at great risk to his life. Major Sonam Wangchuk displayed exceptional bravery and gallantry of the highest order in the presence of enemy fire and in extreme climatic conditions in the glaciated area. The citation is correct, and to the point, but does not reflect the full import of Wangchuk’s actions and how catalytic they were in inspiring one and all.
Wangchuk died of a heart attack at his home on April 10, Friday. He had been living a retired life in Ladakh and had completed 61 years in June last year. Former Indian Army Chief General V.P. Malik, who was heading the Army during the Kargil War(May–July 1999), posted on X: “Very sad to learn about the passing away of Sonam Wangchuk, MVC, Kargil war hero who captured Chorbat La with his Ladakh Scouts troops. A brave leader and a thorough gentleman. Heartfelt condolences to the family. Salute to the braveheart. Om Shanti”.
The Leh-headquartered 14 Corps of the Indian Army posted on X: “The General Officer Commanding and all ranks express profound grief on the untimely demise of Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, MVC (Retired), and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family”. The 14 Corps described him as a distinguished veteran of the Kargil War, remembered for his exemplary courage and inspiring leadership in the Batalik sector. His indomitable spirit and military acumen contributed significantly to the nation’s success in some of the most challenging high-altitude operations. This Corps was created after the Kargil war.
Wangchuk’s legacy of leadership, patriotism and unwavering commitment to duty will continue to inspire generations, the post said. Former Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Y.K. Joshi(retd), himself a gallantry awardee of the Kargil War, posted on X: “Very sad to learn about the sudden demise of Col Sonam Wangchuk, MVC, who breathed his last early this morning due to a heart attack. My deepest homage to the brave soldier”. “Col Wangchuk, a recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra, was a true hero of the Kargil War. His dedication, bravery, and selfless service will be remembered forever”, he added.
