Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu's death: Suryapet sinks into mourning

SURYAPET: The body of Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu who died in a clash between the Indian Army and PLA of China, was brought to Hyderabad from Leh late on Wednesday evening. The last rites will be performed in Suryapet town on Thursday morning with full military honours.
Col Santosh Babu’s wife Santoshi along with her children, daughter Abhigna, 8, and son Anirudh Teja, 3, who earlier during the day arrived by a flight at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, went to Air Force Station, Hakimpet where she received the body of her slain husband.
Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, IT minister K T Rama Rao, GOC, Telangana and Andhra Sub Area, Maj Gen R K Singh were among those who laid wreaths and paid tributes.
The body was sent to Suryapet in an ambulance. In Suryapet town, Nalgonda MP Uttam Kumar Reddy and his wife, former MLA Padmavathi met Col Santosh Babu’s parents Upendar and Manjula and expressed their condolences to the family. The PCC chief also handed over condolence letters from Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the letter to his wife Santoshi, Sonia Gandhi said: “I am deeply grieved at the loss of your husband Colonel Santosh, who lost his life defending our motherland. His sacrifice, his patriotism and his bravery will never be forgotten and we will always honour his memory.”