Page 36 - NIS English January 16-31

Personality
THE SAVIOUR

OF KASHMIR

A tribute to Param Vir Chakra Major Somnath Sharma on
his birth anniversary whose valour redefined the courage
under fire in a ferocious and decisive battle at Budgam in
Jammu & Kashmir which saved the state from Pakistan

BORN: JANUARY 31, 1923 HIS CITATION READ:
DIED: NOVEMBER 3, 1947 “His leadership, gallantry and tenacious
defence were such that his men were inspired
he enemy is only 50 yards from us. We
to fight the enemy outnumbering them. Major
“Tare heavily outnumbered. We are under
Sharma set an example of courage and
devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but
qualities seldom equalled in the history of the
will fight to the last man and the last round.” This
was the last message of Major Somnath Sharma Indian Army.”
which is a testimony to the courage and bravery but he insisted on being with his company in the
of men in Indian Armed forces. Major Sharma laid battlefield. He was given permission to command
down his life saving his post in Srinagar in 1947. his unit with a mission to hold the Kashmir Valley,
The 4th Kumaon Regiment led by him kept the repel all invaders and defend J&K.
tribal raiders engaged for six hours thus, gaining On November 3, 1947, the enemy reached
time for reinforcement. Budgam, a small town just a few miles away from
The enemy design was foiled as the battle the Srinagar airfield. Major Sharma reached there
changed the course of history forever, with tribal with his troops and took up position immediately.
raiders losing over 200 men and their leader. It was 2:30 PM in the afternoon when a
Major Sharma in the command of 4th Kumaon 500-strong force of tribal raiders, supported by
Regiment prevented the fall of Srinagar and powerful mortars, attacked his company of 50
Kashmir Valley. For his bravery and courage, jawans. Surrounded by enemy from three sides,
he was awarded Independent India’s highest 4 Kumaon sustained heavy casualties from
wartime gallantry award Param Vir Chakra mortar bombardment. Sharma immediately sent
posthumously. His actions in the battlefield are a request for reinforcements.
an epitome of transcended heroism. He knew the importance of holding onto his
Born on January 31, 1923, at Dadh in Kangra position. The Srinagar airfield was the only lifeline
district of Himachal Pradesh, his family had a the Army had between the Kashmir Valley and
long tradition of military service with his father the rest of India. Major led his company to fight
Amar Nath Sharma, served as a Major General bravely. Major Sharma himself took up the task
in the Indian Army. On February 22, 1942, of filling magazines and issuing them to the light
he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, machine gunners. Despite his fractured arm, he
19th Hyderabad Regiment (later named as 4th ensured that casualties didn’t affect the speed
Battalion, Kumaon Regiment) of the Indian Army. and effectiveness of his gunners. However, by the
When attack from Pakistan began on October time the reinforcement reached Budgam, Major
22, 1947, Major Sharma had his right hand in Somnath Sharma, one Junior Commissioned
a plaster cast due to a fracture suffered while Officer and 20 other soldiers were martyred. But
playing hockey. Though he was advised rest, their sacrifice did not go in vain.
34 New India Samachar