Remembering the Hero of Badgam Major Som Nath Sharma, PVC (P)

 The process of clearing my desks and drawers, having been repeatedly rescheduled more because of laziness than anything else, threw up a surprise for me. A small crib book with handwritten notes from what seems to be from an era long bygone brought back some great memories of a small research work that I had undertaken many years ago. The subject of that research was Major Somnath Sharma, PVC--the first recipient of the highest gallantry award of the nation. Computers had already come in but the notes had been taken in hand because of a variety of encounters that had happened with some great men at unlikely places and at odd hours. 

Some disruptions like a nomination for a long professional course, followed by the usual rut, somehow kept my mind occupied while those notes kept holding the fort inside a folder. The sudden reappearance of those sheets of paper, small chits a crib book suddenly brought back the memories of those interactions and the story that I had been working on based on those interviews*. While I indulged in military history writing during the following years and also wrote a book on the 1947 Conflict, the information contained in those old sheets remained hidden from my conscious view. Finally, before it gets misplaced or lost forever, I share that story here:

Major Somnath Sharma had fractured his hand in a hockey match and his right hand was in plaster when the British plan to annex Jammu & Kashmir by force was put into action through the Pak army and hordes of paid missionaries. While the princely state was invaded at a number of points, Kashmir Valley per se was invaded on 22 October 1947. Thanks to selfless sacrifices made by a small Dogra force under their gallant Chief of Staff, Brig Rajendra Singh (later MVC), the advance of 6,000 marauders was delayed right till the morning of 27 October 1947 when the first vehicle of the invaders entered Baramulla town and was welcome by the Muslim Conference Cadres. Non-Muslim houses, properties and humans were then plundered, molested and put to the sword. Fortunately, within a couple of hours of the invaders reaching Baramulla, the first column of the Indian Army's 1 Sikh under their brave CO, Lt Col DR Rai (later MVC) had landed at the makeshift airstrip at Srinagar. By the afternoon, invaders faced the first volley of bullets from a small force of 1 Sikh at the outskirts of Baramulla. During the following days, more and more troops kept on landing at Srinagar and the Indian Army started blocking the multiple thrusts of the invaders. It was under those circumstances that 4 Kumaon was ordered to fly to Srinagar. Major Somnath Sharma was a company commander in 4 Kumaon and was getting his arm plastered by an Army Doctor when he was summoned by his CO, Lt Col MM Khanna. 

30 October 1947

The doctor, while indulging in a light conversation, told Maj Som that the injury sustained by him was, otherwise, a rare occurrence. Maj Som smiled and said that his grandmother always told him that he was a rarity in any case. He was advised utmost care and not to strain himself. Maj Som smiled as he wished the doctor well, not divulging the news that his battalion was already packing up to move to Srinagar and that his 'D' Company would be the first one to fly out!

Som went straight to see his CO in his office at Anand Parbat. The battalion was in the middle of celebrating its raising day and many guests were in the process of arriving for the function. Some of them were aware of the orders, while others had no clue. It was a strange situation wherein ceremonial were being gone through with operational preparedness taking centre stage. As he entered the CO's office and stood erect, he saluted smartly. He was feeling awkward as his left arm couldn't be straightened because of the plaster. Lt Col Khanna gestured for him to take a seat while he finished his telephonic conversation. Som could make out that there was some fairly senior officer on the other end. Finally, the call ended with Khanna respectfully telling the person that he would revert soon.

Having replaced the handset, the CO looked at Som and asked him about the condition of his hand. Without wasting any more time, he then told Som that the call was from Som's father, Maj Gen Amar Nath Sharma, a senior doctor in the forces. Gen Sharma, having spoken to the doctor who had treated Som a little while earlier, had informed Khanna that as per the doctor, Som needed to take care of his injuries and was unfit for operations. It was, after all,  a compound fracture. He went on to inform Som that because of the unfortunate development, he would be nominating Maj Chahal to take over 'D' Company and fly out to Srinagar while Som recuperated in Delhi. 

Som's protest was vocal and forceful. He told the CO that for him to stay back while his men fought the enemy would be no less than a sin. His medical condition and advice of the medical fraternity (that included his own father) remaining irrespective, he resolved to lead his men into battle; he had done it during WW2 and he couldn't imagine taking any other course when the enemy was knocking at the doors! He then put forth the simple fact that his men knew him well and no one knew his company better and that was what really mattered in a war. The CO was left speechless. He simply shook his head. Som stood cleared for the war!

A little while later, having told his buddy, Sepoy Bahadur, to pack up, Som went into the washroom to take a quick shower. The raising day dinner was just half an hour away and he had to be ready in time. It was only because of Bahadur's help that he was able to put on his dinner jacket. His wound, still raw, was causing immense pain but he was focusing on the upcoming operational task and deliberately ignoring the pain. Bahadur, his buddy of years and now practically a member of Som's family, was aware of the fact that Som was upset with his medical status. In contrast, his family which had just arrived from Ranchi had no clue about Som's insistence and success in gaining his CO's nod. As Som felt a surge of pain while Bahadur pulled his tunic over the plastered arm, he admonished Bahadur for his carelessness in handling his arm. Bahadur, well aware of the storm roaring inside Som's head, politely told him not to express his anguish when he met his parents and siblings in the officers' mess a few minutes later. Som stood still for a while, wondering how Bahadur could read his mind, put up a stern face to tell Bahadur to mind his business before breaking into a smile. Bahadur, doing his part of the act by looking remorseful, grinned as he saw Som relaxing and indulging in a bit of play.

Their friendly banter continued while Som tried to tie his laces and later comb his hair with his left hand. Bahadur came to his rescue on both occasions even though Som threw him a stern look and told him to behave when Bahadur repeated his suggestion and reminded Som that it was his own fault that he had broken his arm and not that of Som's kin! Despite Som blurting out some forceful words, going to the extent of telling Bahadur to behave and not cross the line, Bahadur remained steadfast in reminding Som that the latter must behave normally and smile as usual when inside the mess. Som was amazed at Bahadur's emotional quotient though it was not the first time that he had seen that side of his buddy's personality. 

'Tich' as Som's youngest brother, Vishwa Nath was called affectionately, was the first one to spot Som as the latter entered the anteroom of the mess. Som looked handsome and his smile which could disarm anyone seemed to be attracting everyone around him as he walked through the gathering, wishing and socialising with those present there. Som's family stood in the far corner with his mother beaming with pride and restraining Tich from running over to his big brother. As Som finally reached his folks, his sister, Kamla, hugged him while Tich, in his bid to look more stately, extended his hand to grab his brother's hand to do a formal handshake. His mother touched his face with affection.

The air in the mess, however, was heavy with everyone deliberately avoiding the subject of war in J&K. With civilians and family members of the officers attending the event, such a decision had been taken in the interest of secrecy and with an aim to keep the shop talk out of a social gathering. Tich, however, did try to probe, though in a hushed voice. He shared the perceived image of a typical 'Kabaili' who was seven feet tall and who could eat a man raw! Som laughed his queries off while repeatedly tapping Tich's head as if to admonish him for nursing such irrational ideas. But the last question by Tich did stump him when he asked him a straight and innocent question, "Will you be able to fight and kill Kabailis with one hand?" The reply came in form of a louder whack that did make a few turn their heads towards the family. Fortunately, at that very moment, the mess havildar marched in and banged his foot before saluting and informing the CO that the dinner had been served.

Dinner over, guests and hosts began to disperse. Despite its first proper raising day post-re-raising in June 1946, the function had been sombre. Many families who had arrived to attend the dinner, were actually not even aware of the impending move of the battalion to Srinagar the very next morning. Kamla was training to be a doctor and had been engaged to a Signals officer, Maj KK Tiwari. Som took his sister aside and checked on her welfare and her relationship with Maj KK. Maj Gen Sharma was away at that moment and Som, himself, had been too busy with internal security duties during the past few days. It was the first moment in a while when he had been able to speak to his dear sister. In a way, he was doing what his father would have done under ideal conditions. Kamla, fully aware of the impending move by now, however, preferred not to speak. She was worried and had been fighting hard to keep her emotions in check. Now that she was with Som and Som had asked her about her life, she just could no longer hold herself back. Hugging her brother tightly, she let go of her restraint and tears flowed like an unbridled mountain stream. Som let her recover before leading her back to the place where his mother and Tich were standing speaking to Bahadur. 

Seeing Som and Kamla approach, Som's mother hurriedly finished her conversation with Bahadur. From their looks, Som could make out that the two had discussed a few things and had mutually decided to keep the conversation a secret. Knowing his mother, he knew what must have been the conversation about but he decided to play along. Tich, by now, had realised the fact that despite all the glamour that people associated with wars, it was not an easy task for everyone involved. Standing there, he had seen kids of his age bidding farewell to their fathers who would be flying out the next morning. All the whacking he had received from Som a while earlier, disappeared from his thoughts as he felt a surge of emotions building inside of him. Despite his attempt to keep a straight face, he couldn't help himself as Som hugged him from behind. As he turned around to face his brother, Som apologised for his behaviour, saying that his physical state had been playing on his mind and that had made him react unfairly to Tich's innocent question. And then he promised to bring a photo of a Kabaili waving for Tich! Soon, the bitterness was forgotten but soon the scene turned sombre when Som told Tich to take over the responsibilities of the man of the house! Before Tich could react, Som playfully ruffled Tich's hair and turned to his mother who hugged him, kissed his forehead and told him to be careful. Som, smiling as always, brushed aside her worries and told her that he would be back soon. 

As the family boarded the staff car and drove out of the mess complex, Som turned his attention to Bahadur who had been standing all that while silently. Som asked him what the conversation had been between him and his mother, Bahadur simply replied that she wanted Bahadur to take care of Som. That reply triggered another bout of banter with Som daring him to take that as gospel since it was Som who has been looking after Bahadur rather than other way around. The duo then walked back towards Som's room. Som, however, didn't go all the way to his room. His jeep had been waiting outside and having told Bahadur a few things, he boarded the jeep to Maj KK's mess that lay a little distance away. KK was asleep when Som woke him up. They were good friends and KK's marriage with Kamla would have strengthened the bond. They chatted for a while before it was time for Som to return to his room. There were only a few hours left before the flight. As the two hugged each other and Som began to walk out, he suddenly turned and asked KK to give him KK's pistol, a memento from WW2. KK loved that weapon and didn't really wish to part with it but somehow, couldn't say no. He handed over the pistol along with the holster to Som and wished him luck while telling him to be careful. The meeting ended soon.

31 October 1947

Srinagar airfield was just a strip of land that had seen numerous landings over the past four days. The surface of the runway, if it could be called one, had deteriorated and every landing Dakota kicked up a cloud of dust. Som, out of his aeroplane, was looking around when Bahadur joined him. The fact that another battalion of the regiment, 1 (Para) Kumaon was guarding the perimeter of the airfield and many of Kumaoni soldiers could be seen, had pleased Bahadur like no one else. 

HQ 161 Brigade had started functioning only a couple of days earlier and Som was supposed to report to the HQ after landing. As he walked towards a makeshift structure that appeared to be a control room, he was met by an officer from the HQ. He was instructed to deploy his company to strengthen the perimeter defence laid by 1 (Para) Kumaon. Som turned around and walked into a cloud of dust that had been caused by the landing of another Dakota. Soon, the men of 'D' Company were plugging the weak spots, as ordered by Maj Som. It was then that there was a commotion at the airfield. The commander of 161 Brigade, Brigadier JC Katoch, while on a visit to forward lines, had been wounded and was being flown out. Lt Col Pritam Singh, CO of 1 (Para) Kumaon, assumed the charge of troops in Srinagar.

01 November 1947

There was a nip in the air as Som went around, checking the platoons that he had deployed soon after landing. Men appeared to be in high morale. Snow-capped Pir Panjal Range and green forest belt in the foothills made a very good scenery. Som spoke to his men, answering their omnipresent query as to when they would see the action! Such questions added to the urge that he had been nursing himself since the moment he was cleared by Lt Col Khanna to go into operations. While he had been waiting for the orders, he was also conscious of his disability and had a bit of doubt if the senior commanders would be very comfortable sending him into action. Repeated queries by his men made him a bit uncomfortable and he went to see Lt Col Pritam Singh. During the conversation, he let Lt Col Pritam know his appreciation for the latter's battalion that had been holding the perimeter of the airfield. In a way, he mentioned it so as to justify his next point that his company was not really required by the company to defend the airfield! Lt Col Pritam, smilingly told him that while he was with him, no decision could be taken since a new commander was expected soon and the final decision would be taken by him. 

Back from Lt Col Pritam's audience, Som joined his men and relieved a man as he took his place on the post. Bahadur, who had been shadowing Som, was the first person to rake up the issue with Som. Why was Som in such a hurry to go into a fight, was his polite but direct query. Some men in the next trench heard Bahadur's question and started paying attention to the conversation. "Because I have come here to fight and not reply to a stupid question like this," was Som's stern reply. Men who heard the reply smiled as they had also been feeling restless doing protection duties and helping aircraft unload.

He had been on vigil for over three hours when he spotted Col Harbaksh Singh, the new commander, emerging out of his makeshift operations room with Lt Col Pritam in tow. Harbaksh had arrived about a couple of hours back. Som summoned the soldier who had been resting behind the trench line, handed over the post and started ambling towards two senior officers. He was not certain, but he had a gut feeling that Pritam had possibly informed Harbaksh about his request, but he was not yet sure whether the recommendation had been positive or otherwise! Soon, he was a few yards short of the duo. He came to attention and saluted smartly. His apprehension that some words had been exchanged about him came true when Harbaksh, without getting into small talk, told him straightway that while he appreciated Som's enthusiasm, he would rather let the new commander come in and take a call. The Brigade Commander, who was expected the next morning, was turning out to be a mystery for Som, who had never seen such a rapid change of command, even during WW2.

News from the front line close to Pattan, however, was not very encouraging. 1 SIKH was under a lot of pressure, and having lost their CO, Lt Col DRS Rai was under stress. More troops had been moved up to reinforce 1 SIKH, and one more company was now holding a road junction at Magam to the rear of 1 SIKH. There were rumours claiming that many invaders had been able to bypass the frontlines and were approaching Srinagar City as well as the airfield. Major SK Sinha, his friend from the Command HQ, arrived, pleasantly surprising Som. Som shared his frustration with his friend. Now that the new commander, Brig LP Sen, had already arrived and had been inside the operations room, Som was dying to see him. They had served together during WW2, and Som was hopeful of getting a worthwhile task. He also confided in Sinha that in the worst case, he would step back so that the 'D' Company could go into action. He was now feeling guilty that his disability had become a hindrance to his company that was waiting to taste blood. 

It was only in the late afternoon that he was able to see Brig Sen. Their wartime association did finally, but not without a forceful case made by Som, come to his rescue. Sen ordered his staff officer to plan a three-company area domination patrol the next day. Som and two other company commanders were to meet Sen the next morning for the briefing. That anxiety that had eaten up his smile for the past couple of days returned suddenly as Som walked back towards his company; his steps had turned bouncy, and Bahadur noticed the change with a sigh of relief. Som gave preliminary orders to his subordinate appointments and went to take a round of his trenches. 

As the darkness fell, many fires could be seen to the South; many buildings located on the hills and around the hill resort of Gulmarg seemed to be burning thanks to the brutes who were plundering the countryside. 

03 November 1947

The inputs about enemy building up to the West and Southwest of the airfield were now flowing in regularly, and the intelligence had been corroborated and confirmed. Brigadier Sen decided to despatch one company of 1 (Para) Kumaon and two companies (‘A’ and ‘D’ Companies) of 4 Kumaon to reconnoitre and engage the enemy, if encountered, in the Badgam-Magam area. Two officers, Major Som and Capt Ronnie Wood of 1 (Para) Kumaon, were personally briefed by the Sen in the morning at the HQ of 161 Infantry Brigade. As per the plan, the company of 1 (Para) Kumaon was to pass through the companies of 4 Kumaon, contact 1/2 Punjab at Magam and return to the airfield.

Both the companies of 4 Kumaon left the airfield, followed a bit later by the company of 1 (Para) Kumaon. ‘A’ company of 1 (Para) Kumaon took up a temporary defensive position towards the Southeast of Badgam while the other subunit, ‘D’ Company of 4 Kumaon, under Som, got deployed in a temporary defensive locality just to the North of Badgam. The patrol of 1 (Para) Kumaon, having passed through 4 Kumaon-held area, did not come across any enemy till 1300 hours and moved on to Magam.

The Brigade HQ then ordered Som to start thinning out. ‘A’ Company now started withdrawing to the airfield at 1300h after no activity was reported around Badgam. ‘A’ and ‘D’ Company had swept the area, including Badgam village, after their arrival at the location by sending strong patrols around. With no unusual activity to report, the ‘D’ company was now awaiting further orders. A few men had been seen in a nala that lay some distance from the company, but since no arms were seen on them, they had been perceived as civilians out for work or similar chores. In fact, many civilians had been working in their fields with no signs of any trouble.  Soon, the orders were received for the company to withdraw to the airfield, but then the company was reordered to stay on for another half an hour.

At 1430h, the company was once again ordered to move back. It was in the process of reeling back when it drew fire from a few houses inside Badgam village. Conscious of the likelihood of collateral damage, Major Somnath Sharma ordered his men to hold fire and take position facing the township. The civilians in the nala suddenly started rushing up while taking out their weapons that had been hidden under their loose cloaks. Major Somnath informed the Brigade HQ about the developments. Suddenly, the company was surrounded from three sides and came under attack by a large horde of approximately 700 men. Heavily outnumbered, 1:7, the company put up a brave fight. The enemy, having reached so close to the airfield – their obvious target- was not willing to give in either and used 2-inch and 3-inch mortars liberally to bombard the Kumaonis caught in the open. 

Som requested reinforcements when the enemy’s strength became evident and as the first platoon started to be overrun. Sepoy Dewan Singh, who was in charge of a light machine gun, seeing the enemy encircling his platoon, stood up and blazed away with his machine gun at the enemy personnel rushing in towards the platoon. Several invaders fell. His boldness stopped the enemy long enough for his platoon to withdraw. Dewan Singh was hit in the shoulder but continued to hold his position to cover the withdrawal of his platoon till he fell to a burst of machine-gun fire.

It was discovered later that an ex-officer of the British Army, Major Khursheed, the Commander of the armed wing of the Muslim League, had arrived in the area with some 100-odd invaders the previous evening. He had ordered that till the point strength of about 1,000 men was built up, invaders would lie low and away from Badgam but within striking distance of the airfield. When ‘D’ Company of 4 Kumaon had got up to leave the locality, it was seen as a possible advance towards the area where the invaders had moved in by that time. Though the Major was still short by about 300 men, he was forced to act, and he ordered his men inside Badgam to open fire to distract the Indian troops. As Kumaonis were getting deployed facing the village, a three-pronged attack was launched by 700-odd men. Khursheed was wounded during the battle and returned to Pakistan a few days later. The firing from inside the village was a ruse to distract him and allow the 700-odd invaders to get behind the company. Not aware of such a development at that moment, Major Somnath had decided to avoid collateral damage. The significance of such an action can be understood if a hypothetical situation is played out. If, for example, instead of holding fire, he had ordered his company to retaliate and then flush the invaders out (there were not many inside the village at that time), the company or part of it would have entered the village would have provided them with some defensibility of sorts. In that case, they could have fought longer! But unadulterated soldiering doesn’t follow such a thought process since it would have involved endangering the lives and properties of the civilians.

'A' company of 1 (Para) Kumaon was rushed by the brigade along with a vehicle carrying ammunition for the troops in contact. The strike aircraft took off immediately and struck the enemy seven times over a short spell of time. Air strikes helped the company, now down to one-third of its strength, hold on a while. spitfires punched up chaos in the kaibali ranks, Roshan Suri and JJ Bouche roaring in, again and again, pounding the enemy, notching up multiple kills and damage, till they ran out of ammunition.  While JJ roared off to the airfield, Roshan flew a longer arc and saw a sight that would be in his nightmares for many nights to come. 60 men of 4 Kumaon, outnumbered and hemmed in from 3 sides by close to 700 kaibalis making to charge the positions again. It was a heart-rending sight mitigated in no small measure by the expansive and heroic man, recognizable by the arm in the plaster as Maj. Som Nath Sharma, waving from the trenches at him. Suri waggled his wings in reply and roared off to the airfield to refuel and take on more ammunition. The return of Spitfires allowed the enemy commander, Major Khursheed, to gather his men and launch a do-or-die assault on the 'kaafirs'. Hell broke loose as the frenzied men charged the hillock shouting 'Allah-o-Akbar. Som, well aware of the depleted ammunition state, had been expecting such a move and had passed orders to hold fire till his signal.

As the Pakistanis began to storm,  Som observed them charge as he stood, hand raised, exposed to the inclement design of the God of that day. They started climbing up the hillock in hordes, screaming like baying ravenous wolves and Som, when he perceived the distance as adequate, dropped his hand, indicating a response. The LMGs spat out their ferocious lead and the remnants of 'D' Company, bolstered by the raw courage of their Company Commander, shouted their war cry, 'Kalika Mata ki Jai' and let loose a devastating fire on the attackers. In an instant, the first line of kaibalis fell as the bullets found their mark. Som fired his pistol at the sea wall of screeching kaibalis while moving down the line and encouraging his men, directing them to aim their fire at specific points. Som, despite his disability, led his men bravely, shuttling from section to section, carrying ammunition boxes and reshuffling weapons with utter disregard for his own safety. But the odds were too high. His men were dying, fighting gallantly and ammunition was running short. He looked around one last time, assessing his fighting strength now below 20 while the enemy appeared to be in uncountable hundreds.

It was at this stage that he decided to update the HQ about the danger that may soon be coming to the airfield, for he knew that the inevitable was near. He called up the Brigade HQ, and when told to withdraw, he replied, “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 the last man and the last round.”

Som finally fell as a mortar bomb caught him before the arrival of the reinforcements. With one hand in the plaster, he had been filling ammunition into LMG magazines to ensure continuity of fire when the moment of glory finally came. Bahadur saw him perish in the mortar bomb blast that threw a soulless form out of the trench. He had not been able to keep his word given to Som's mother, but he would be saved the embarrassment of facing the lady, for he won't ever get that opportunity. He, too, joined Som soon!

1 (Para) Kumaon found it hard to join the battle since most of the men of 4 Kumaon were either dead or injured, and the company had been overrun. Some enemy emerged from inside Badgam, attacked the tail of the relief company and looted the ammunition vehicle. However, soon, the Indian troops broke through the enemy lines to the North of the village, and the enemy fled, leaving more than 200 dead.

*The above story is based on my interactions with some of the officers who had the opportunity to interact with the family members of Maj Somnath Sharma, as well as surviving officers and men of 4 Kumaon. This blog will be incomplete without my sincerest thanks to respected veterans who helped me compile this. My gratitude to Lt Gens RA Loomba and RD Mehra, Gp Capt HD Mehra, Col VK Vaid and Col Ranjit Sen.