“Major Sonam showed exemplary courage and bravery.” That line from his Maha Vir Chakra citation says much, but not all, about Col Sonam Wangchuk. The rest of the story lives in the memory of Kargil, in the cold heights of Batalik, and in the pride of Ladakh, where his name came to stand for courage without noise and leadership without display. 

Col Sonam Wangchuk was not the kind of soldier who needed to be surrounded by flourish around his name. His reputation was built the hard way, in snow, rock and enemy fire. In May 1999, then Major Sonam Wangchuk was tasked in the Chorbatla sector during Operation Vijay. He moved through deep fresh snow, established an observation post under severe conditions,........

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