SRIJAN 2002-2003(1st Edition)

MAJOR SOMNATH SHARMA:
Major Somnath Sharma, son of Major General Amarnath Sharma, was born on 31
January 1923, in Dadh, 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. To save
the State from a tribal invasion, which was approaching the valley at a very fast pace, India
dispatched troops to 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.
D Coy led by Major Sharma which had taken up position south of Badgam was 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. 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.
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. The company held on for six hours against heavy odds.
When heavy casualties 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 is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily
o
...ṫriumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall notWiNdlawan inchbut -will fight to our last man and our last
round." His answer is now part &The ArriTy lore.
Major General Amarnath Sharma received India's first and the highest war-time gallantry medal, Param Vir
Chakra, on behalf of his brave son. The citation to Major Somnath Sharma reads, 'His leadership, gallantry and
tenacious defense were such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy outnumbering them by seven to one for
six hours, one hour of which was after this gallant officer had been killed°.
MAJOR DHAN SINGH THAPA
Major Dhan Singh Thapa, born on 10 April 1928 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, was
commissioned in the 8 Gorkha Rifles on 28 August 1949. The Sirijap valley, north of the
Pangong Lake in Ladakh, was considered vital for the defense of Chushul airfield. The 1/8
Gorkha Rifles had outposts there to thwart any enemy encroachment in the area. One of
these outposts named Sirijap-1 was held by a platoon of 'C' Company under the command
of Major Dhan Singh Thapa when the Chinese attack came on 21 October 1962. At 0600
hours on 21 October 1962, the Chinese opened a barrage of artillery and mortar fire over
Sirijap-1 post. Some shells fell on the command post and damaged the wireless set. This
put the post out of commission. The Chinese then attacked the outpost in overwhelming
numbers. Major Thapa and his men repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the
enemy. But the Chinese mounted another attack in greater numbers.
Major Thapa again rose to the occasion and repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy losses
on the enemy. The third Chinese attack was, however, more powerful and intense. The enemy now came with tanks
in support of the infantry. The platoon post was now in a much depleted strength owing to the casualties suffered in
earlier attacks. But the post held out till the ammunition lasted. When it was finally overrun by the Chinese, he jumped
out of his trench and killed many intruders in hand-to-hand fighting. He was eventually overpowered and killed. Major
Thapa was believed to have been killed in this engagement, and the original citation reflects this. He was later
discovered to have been taken prisoner by Chinese soldiers and after his release from the POW camp, he resumed
1/1c15 Martyrdom is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability. (2002-03)