1.IC-521
Major Som Nath Sharma,
4th Kumaon Regiment - 3 November 1947 - Badgam, Kashmir (posthumous) , 1st PVC of
India.
2.IC 57556 Captain Vikram Batra. PVC
(13 JAK RIF, Posthumous)
ASHOK CHAKRA
3.Major Sudhir Walia (Ashok Chakra), Posthumous
MAVA VIR CHAKRA
4.Brigadier Sher Jang Thapa, MVC 1947-48 WarKARGIL HERO
5.Captain Saurabh Kalia(IC No. 58522F) [4 JAT Regiment (Infantry)]
Major Somnath Sharma, son of
Major General Amarnath Sharma, was born on 31 January 1923, in Himachal Pradesh District
Kangra. He was commissioned in the Kumaon Regiment on 22 February 1942. During the Second
World War, he had fought in the Arakan Operations. His brother, General V.N. Sharma,
served as the Chief of Army Staff during 1988 to 1990. On 22 October 1947, Pakistan
launched the tribal invasion of Jammu & Kashmir. The intention was to grab the Kashmir
valley by force. As the State became a part of the Union on October 26th, her protection
became the responsibility of India. To save the State from a tribal invasion, which was
approaching the valley at a very fast pace, India dispatched troops to Srinagar. The first
batch of Indian troops reached just in time on October 27th morning to stop the enemy on
the outskirts of Srinagar.
The D Company of 4 Kumaon, led by Major Somnath Sharma, was airlifted to Srinagar on October 31st. When his company was asked to move to Srinagar, Major Sharma's arm was in plaster. He had suffered a fracture on the hockey ground and was advised rest till the plaster was removed. But he insisted on being with his company at this crucial hour and was allowed to go. Meanwhile, the main thrust of the tribal invasion of Srinagar had been blunted by the 1 Sikh at Patan. The enemy now resorted to guerilla tactics to sneak into the valley. But the induction of more troops into Srinagar enables the Army to take care of the surrounding areas better. On November 3rd, a strong fighting patrol compromising 3 companies was dispatched to reconnoitre the Bagdam area to look for raiders approaching Srinagar from the northern direction. By 0930 hrs the troops had established a firm base at Bagdam.
As no enemy was seen during patrolling, two companies moved back to Srinagar by 1400 hrs. D Coy led by Major Sharma which had taken up position south of Bagdam was, however, asked to stay on in the area till 1500 hours. At 1435 hours, D Coy was subjected to firing from some houses of Bagdam village. The Coy did not return fire for fear of killing innocent people of the village. While Major Sharma was discussing this threat with the Bde. Cdr., a large force of the enemy, about 700 strong, appeared from a depression to the west of his position. It attacked with coy with small arms, mortars and heavy automatics. The accurate and devastating fire of the enemy inflicted heavy casualties on D Coy. Major Somnath Sharma understood the gravity of the situation and the imminent threat to both Srinagar town and the airfield was looming large before his eyes. He rushed across the open ground to his sections, exposing himself to enemy fire. He also laid out panels to guide IAF aircraft to their targets in the face of enemy fire. The company held on for six hours against heavy odds.
When heavy casualties adversely affected
the firing power of the company, Major Sharma, with his right hand in plaster, took upon
himself the task of filling the magazines and issuing them to men, operating light machine
guns. While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near
him. His last message to Brigade HQ, received a few moments before he was killed was,
"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 our last man and our last
round." His answer is now part of the Army lore. In the battle of Bagdam,
Major Sharma, one JCO and 20 other ranks were killed. But their sacrifices did not go in
vain. He and his men stemmed the tide of the enemy advance on Srinagar and the airfield
for some very crucial hours. He has set an example of courage and qualities, seldom
equaled in the history of the Indian Army. Major General Amarnath Sharma received India's
first and highest war-time gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, on behalf of his brave son.
2. IC 57556 Capt Vikram Batra 13 JAK RIF (Posthumous)
On 20 Jun 99, 13 JAK
RIF was tasked to capture Point 5140. Capt Vikram Batra, in an audacious move, decided to
attack the enemy position from the rear along a sheer cliff face. Undaunted by fire, the
officer, followed by five of his men climbed up and hurled two grenades into the enemy
Sangar. As three enemy soldiers came out, he single handedly engaged them in close fire
fight and killed all three. Mortally wounded, he went back and called forward his men,
regrouped them and led them to capture Point 5140.For his sustained display of the most
conspicuous personal bravery and junior leadership of the highest order in the face of the
enemy, Capt Vikram Batra has been awarded the PARAM VIR CHAKRA Posthumously.
Next to kin/Address:- Mr GL
Batra (Father)
House No 295, W-5
Palampur.Kangra (HP)- 176661
3.Major Sudhir Walia (Ashok Chakra), Posthumous
Major Sudhir Kumar, 9 Parachute (Special
Forces), SM plus Bar to SM hailing from District Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), was
commissioned into the 3rd Jat Regiment on 11 June 1988. . On 29 August 1999, Major Kumar
led an assault on a militant hideout in Kupwara district. He killed four militants before
succumbing to their bullets. However, till the end came, he was directing his commandos on
radio set and refused evacuation in spite of serious injuries on his chest, face and arms.
For his conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, Major Sudhir Kumar was awarded the
highest peace-time gallantry medal, Ashoka Chakra, posthumously. His father, former
Subedar Major Rulia Ram Walia, received the award from the President of India, on behalf
of his brave son.
4.Brigadier Sher Jang Thapa, MVC
In 1947, the 6
J&K Rifles commanded by Lt Col Sher Jang Thapa was moved to Skardu in Ladakh to ensure
its security against an emminent Pakistani onslaught.
On February 11, 1948, Skardu was surrounded by an enemy of about 600 troops, while the strength of soldiers under Lt Col Thapa was only 130. Sporadic fighting continued all through February but in March the raiders strengthened by new supplies intensified their fire. Gradually, the Indians ration position started worsening. The enemy tried to persuade them to surrender. The offer was outrightly rejected by Lt Col Thapa.
The night of August 13, 1948, saw a fierce battle at Skardu between Pakistani and Indian troops. Lt Col Thapa and his men repulsed an attack of around 200 raiders. But now Thapa knew he could not hold on any longer and he ordered his men to leave Skardu in small numbers. Thapa recalls, "We used our last box of ammunition. Everyone knew our plight and there was panic and chaos all over ... my troops fought under very adverse conditions and held Skardu for six months and three days. Then I was left with no alternative but to surrender." On 14th August after withstanding a heroic seige of 6 months Skardu finally gave in.
Throughout the period of siege, Lt Col Sher Jang Thapa showed outstanding leadership and great determination in holding out ... in spite of the enemy offering him liberal surrender terms and knowing that there was no hope of ever being relieved. By his personal example and indomitable spirit he kept the morale of both his troops and civilian refugees at a high level ... his conduct has been in the best traditions of the Indian Army. For his sustained gallantry, Lt Col Sher Jung Thapa was awarded the Mahavir Chakra.
But for his siege of Skardu in the Ladakh region of Kashmir for over six months, Ladakh might have been wiped out from the Indian map. Brigadier Sher Jang Thapa is remembered and revered as the Hero of Skardu. His heroic deeds are today part of the glorious history of the Indian Army.
Lt Col Thapa
retired as a Brigadier in 1960. He died in Dharamsala in 1999 at the age of 90 years.
5.Captain Saurabh Kalia (IC No. 58522F)
Born at Amritsar (Punjab), hailing from Palampur in District
Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Captain Saurabh Kalia was brilliant in academics and
effortlessly secured scholarships throughout his schooling years. After completing his graduation in May 1997,
Saurabh was selected in the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in August 1997, through the
Combined Defence Services and was commissioned on December 12, 1998.
Lt. Saurabh was posted with the 4 JAT Regiment (Infantry) IC No. 58522F in the Kargil Sector. In the first fortnight of May 1999, he went out for Patrol Duty three times to check the infiltration in the Kaksar area of Kargil. Lt. Saurabh was hailed as the First Officer to give information of the large-scale intrusion of the Pakistan Army and infilitrators in the area.
After the intrusion was detected in area, his Commanding Officer deputed a slightly older Junior Officer to check the strategic Bajrang Post. Lt. Saurabh, however, volunteered to go there himself and went in place of the deputed officer. Here, the troops were fired upon by the enemy. These brave Indian soldiers kept fighting as reinforcements couldn't reach in the day, any movement in the daylight would come under the direct enemy fire.
The Indian troops ran out of ammunition, their signal instrument went out of order and finally they got encircled by about 200 Pakistan soldiers and were captured alive, before the reinforcement reached at that height.
No trace of this entire patrol was left and Skardu Radio of Pakistan reported that Lt. Saurabh Kalia and his five men were captured alive. They were in their captivity for over twenty-two (May 15,1999 to June 6-7, 1999) days and subjected to unprecedented brutal torture as evident from their bodies handed over by Pakistan Army on June 9,1999. They did not break while undergoing this unlimited barbarism. This speaks volumes of their patriotism, grit, determination, tenacity and valour and the whole nation is proud of them.
The enemy indulged in the most heinous act of burning their bodies with cigarettes, piercing ear-drums with hot rods, removing eyes, chopping off various limbs and organs of these soldiers besides inflicting all sorts of physical and mental tortures before shooting them down. Lt. Saurabh Kalia's skull was fractured and most of the bones and teeth broken. He had a bullet injury in the temple indicating that he was finally shot dead.
In his memory a Saurabh Van Vihar has been made near Neughal in Palampur and a museum (Saurabh Smiriti Kaksha) has been raised in his house at Palampur.