Sonam Wangchuk (soldier)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sonam Wangchuk | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 May 1964 Sankar, Leh district, Ladakh, India |
| Died | 10 April 2026 (aged 61) |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch | Indian Army |
| Service years | 1987–2018 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Service number | IC-45952M |
| Unit | 4 Assam Regiment Ladakh Scouts |
| Conflicts | Kargil War |
| Awards | Maha Vir Chakra |
| Spouse | Padma Angmo |
Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, MVC (11 May 1964 – 10 April 2026) was an Indian Army veteran, who served with the Assam Regiment and the Ladakh Scouts. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, during his successful operation in the Kargil War. Due to his exemplary feat as a Major during the Kargil War, he is known as the Lion of Ladakh in the Indian Army.
Born on 11 May 1964 in Sankar suburb of Leh, Wangchuk was a native of Khakshal suburb of Leh of the Indian union territory of Ladakh. His mother was the sister of India Politician Thupstan Chhewang and niece of Buddhist monk Kushok Bakula Rinpochhey.[1] In 1969, at the age of about five years, he moved to Solan in Himachal Pradesh, where he studied at St. Luke's School till the fourth standard. Later in 1973, his family moved to Dharamshala where he studied at Sacred Heart High School. Here he had close interactions with the Dalai Lama as his father was serving as the security officer of the 14th Dalai Lama.
In 1975, his father was transferred to Delhi. In Delhi he was educated at The Modern School Barakhamba Road, and took a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, from the Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi.
He cited a relative, Colonel Wangdus, as the inspiration for his joining the Indian Army, although his father desired him to become a civil servant.[2]
Military career
Wangchuk attended the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and was commissioned into the 4th battalion of the Assam Regiment as a Second Lieutenant.[3] He was posted to Ukrul in northeast India as a company commander. He then served in Sri Lanka as a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. He was later posted to the Indus Wing of the Ladakh Scouts. In 1999, at the outbreak of the Kargil War, then Major Wangchuk led an operation against Pakistani troops in the Chorbat La pass, on 31 May which was the first successful operation of the war, for which he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. On 21 August 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind released a documentary named "Lion of Ladakh" about the troops under Wangchuk who repelled enemy forces from Chorbat La.[4]
Death
Wangchuk died from a heart attack on 10 April 2026, at the age of 61.[5]
