Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), Maha Vir Chakra awardee and Kargil War hero, passes away.

Exam-focused facts from the 12 April 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Retd) died at age 61 following a heart attack at his residence in Leh, Ladakh.
He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his actions during the Kargil War.
Then Major Wangchuk led Ladakh Scouts troops across Chorbat La on 30 May 1999 without artillery support and captured enemy positions.
Two posts in the sector, ‘Sonam 1’ and ‘Sonam 2’, were named after him in recognition of his bravery.
He was commissioned into the Assam Regiment on 4 September 1987 and later served with the Ladakh Scouts.
His wife Padma Angmo is a UT cadre civil servant posted in Delhi and their son Riggyal Otvum is an IIM graduate working in Bengaluru.