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| Recall this | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
| Major Somnath Sharma | Born 31 January 1923; led D Company, 4 Kumaon; killed at Badgam at age 24. |
| Main mission | Protect Srinagar airport and the surrounding area from the advancing force. |
| Why Badgam mattered | Close to the airport, on higher ground, and important for troops and air supplies. |
| Battle date | 3 November 1947. |
| Numbers | About 90 soldiers of D Company faced about 500 invaders. |
| Major Sharma’s actions | Recognised the diversion, requested air strikes, laid ground panels, directed fire, filled magazines and encouraged his men. |
| Last message | He refused to withdraw and said he would fight to the last man and the last round. |
| After his death | D Company held on for over six more hours, giving reinforcements time to arrive. |
| Honour | First recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, awarded posthumously; 4 Kumaon received Battle Honour “Srinagar”. |
| Main values | Courage, duty, leadership, loyalty, sacrifice and patriotism. |
Timeline
31 Jan 1923
Born in Dadh, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
1942
Commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment
22 Oct 1947
Operation Gulmarg launched
27 Oct 1947
Indian troops sent to defend Kashmir
31 Oct 1947
D Company flown into Srinagar
3 Nov 1947
Battle of Badgam; Major Sharma killed
After the battle
First Param Vir Chakra recipient, posthumously
