Recalling the valiant solider, Brig Dr Daleep Singh Chhajta(retd AFMS ) says, “Major Somnath (PVC) was a hero who saved Kashmir from Pakistani intruders in 1947. He was a gallant son of first director-general AFMS of Indian Army medical corps. We pay our tributes to him on his birth anniversary”.
For his gallantry and sacrifice during the battle of Badgam, Major Sharma (PVC) was posthumously awarded India’s first Paramvir Chakra(PVC). He had plaster cast on his left hand, yet he chose to fight and led his unit. It was by his initiative that his unit of 50 troops halted the “march of over 1000 Pakistani intruders for the critical hours into the Srinagar airport by inflicting heavy casualties on the intruders and repulsed the attack that gave time for additional air reinforcements to land in airport. Finally Indian troops drove away the intruders and secured the Kashmir valley”, recalled old timers.
Last message of Major Somnath to the brigade headquarters that he had sent a few moments before he felled to mortar explosion still remains an inspiration for the soldiers: “The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round”.
Major Somnath Sharma was born on January 31, 1923 in the family of valiant soldiers of Darth village in Kangra district, which was then part of Punjab province. His father was Major General Amarnath Sharma, who retired as the Director-General, Medical Services(army). His brothers- Gen Vishwanath Sharma, retired as Chief of Army Staff (1988-1990) and Lt Gen Surendra Nath Sharma, who retired as Engineering-in-Chief and his sister Major Kamala Tiwari also served in the medical service of the army.
Major Somnath Sharma was just, 23, when he died after fighting Pakistani intruders on 3rd of November 1947 in what is called the Battle of Badgam near Srinagar airport. It was this battle that Major Somnath and his co-soldiers fought to the last man and saved Srinagar airport and Kashmir from Pakistani intruders, recalled the old timers.
He had joined the army in 1942 in the 4th battalion Kumaon Rifles, formally known as the 19th Hyderabad regiment. He also joined the Arakan campaign of World War II for which he was mentioned in dispatches.
After India won independence on August 15, 1947, his unit was asked to join the Indo-Pakistan war 1947. Major Somnath was martyred in action while fighting over 1000 Pakistani intruders in battle of Badgam on November 3, 1947.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also paid his tributes to the brave soldier on his birth anniversary recalling his supreme sacrifice he made to the nation.
As a mark of respect to Major Somnath, the government of India had released the stamp of Rs 500 in his honour in 2003.
