Service No : IC-521
Date of Birth : January 21, 1923
Place of birth : Kangra Dist (HP)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Major
Unit : 4 Kumaon
Arm/Regt : The Kumaon Regiment
Operation : Indo-Pak War 1947-48
Awards : Param Vir Chakra
Martyrdom : November 3, 1947
Major Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh (then part of the Punjab Province). He hailed from a distinguished military family in which service to the nation was a proud tradition. His father, Major General Amarnath Sharma, was an officer in the Indian Army, while his brothers—Lieutenant General Surindar Nath Sharma and General Vishwa Nath Sharma—also went on to serve with great distinction, the latter rising to become the Chief of the Army Staff. His sister, Major Kamla Tewari, served as a doctor in the Army Medical Corps. Major Somnath Sharma received his early education at Sherwood College, Nainital. At the age of ten, he joined the Prince of Wales Royal Military College, Dehradun (Now Rashtriya Indian Military College), a premier institution for military training in pre-independence India. He later proceeded to the Royal Military Academy, where he completed his formal military education.
On 22 February 1942, he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later redesignated as the 4th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment) of the British Indian Army—the same regiment in which his maternal uncle, Captain Krishna Dutt Vasudeva had served with honour. During World War II, Major Somnath Sharma served in the Arakan campaign in Burma under the command of Colonel K.S. Thimayya, who would later become the Chief of the Army Staff. In his very first posting, he displayed remarkable bravery and leadership. While engaged in combat against Japanese forces in the Arakan sector, one of his men was severely wounded. Undeterred by heavy enemy fire, he carried the injured soldier, Bahadur, on his shoulders to safety, an act of exceptional courage for which he was mentioned in dispatches.
Battle of Badgam (Indo-Pak War) : Nov 1947
On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma and his company were ordered to move to Badgam village in Kashmir valley to take control of the critical situation developing there. Despite having his left hand in a plaster cast due to an injury sustained in a hockey match, Major Sharma insisted on leading his men into combat. Badgam was a strategically vital location, as it lay on one of the main routes through which Pakistani raiders were advancing towards Srinagar. To defend this sector, two companies were deployed — ‘A’ Company of the 4 Kumaon Regiment under Major Somnath Sharma, and ‘D’ Company of 1 Para Kumaon commanded by Captain Ronald Wood. The overall operations in the area were under the command of Brigadier L.P. Sen. Soon after deployment, a large group of about 500 heavily armed raiders advanced from Gulmarg and surrounded Major Sharma’s company from three sides. His men came under intense and sustained enemy fire, including mortar bombardment, and suffered heavy casualties. Vastly outnumbered—seven to one—Major Sharma understood that the defence of Badgam was crucial, as any loss of this position would endanger both Srinagar city and its vital airfield.
With unflinching courage, Major Sharma moved across the battlefield, personally distributing ammunition, replenishing magazines, and encouraging his men to hold their ground. He remained calm and resolute, inspiring his troops by his own fearless example. During the fierce engagement, a mortar shell struck the ammunition dump near his position, causing a massive explosion that claimed his life. Just moments before his martyrdom, he sent his final message to Brigade Headquarters—words that continue to echo through history: “The enemy is 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.” By the time reinforcements reached Badgam, Major Sharma and most of his company had made the supreme sacrifice. However, their gallant stand inflicted over 200 casualties on the enemy and crucially delayed their advance. This precious time allowed Indian reinforcements to be airlifted to Srinagar, securing the city and its airfield — an action that ultimately saved Kashmir from falling into enemy hands. At just 25 years of age, Major Somnath Sharma laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. For his unparalleled bravery, leadership, and indomitable spirit, he was posthumously awarded Independent India’s first Param Vir Chakra. His courage continues to inspire generations of soldiers and citizens alike, symbolizing the eternal spirit of duty and sacrifice.
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Omkar Debashis
2024 at 12:47 pmProud of You
Anwarulla Khayoom
2024 at 12:47 pmMy Grand pa from the Kumaon Rg. – Major M.N.Sherieff IC9963.- Raise a toast for these officers.
Ananya
2024 at 12:48 pmI salute your heroism and sacrifice sir. We shall forever remain indebted to you for your service to the nation. Jai Hind..!
Bhavitha Singh
2024 at 12:50 pmMy salute to you for the selfless service to the nation…Your supreme sacrifice will always inspire the future generations of India.
Yasmin Contractor
2024 at 12:51 pmIn five short years he achieved what most people can not do in a lifetime
badhrinath
2024 at 9:39 amyou are a incredible am proud of you sir and you are the inspiration to my dream