Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, MVC is an Indian Army veteran, who served with the Assam Regiment and the Ladakh Scouts.
13 Facts About Sonam Wangchuk
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Sonam Wangchuk 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.
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Sonam Wangchuk's mother is the sister of Mr Thupstan Chhewang and niece of Kushok Bakula Rinpochhey.
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Sonam Wangchuk moved to Solan, Himachal Pradesh in the year 1969 at the age of about five years.
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Sonam Wangchuk cites a relative Colonel Wangdus as the inspiration for his joining the Indian Army, although his father desired him to become a civil servant.
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Sonam Wangchuk attended the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and was commissioned into the 4th battalion of the Assam Regiment as a Second Lieutenant.
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Sonam Wangchuk was posted to Ukrul in northeast India as a company commander.
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Sonam Wangchuk then served in Sri Lanka as a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force.
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Sonam Wangchuk was later posted to the Indus Wing of the Ladakh Scouts.
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In 1999, at the outbreak of the Kargil War, then Major Sonam 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.
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On 21 August 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind released a documentary named "Lion of Ladakh" about the troops under Sonam Wangchuk who repelled enemy forces from Chorbat La.
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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.
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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.