The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories Read Free

they built up strength with Indian Air Force planes flying in more troops.’
    Eventually, the men started running out of ammunition. When Somi informed brigade headquarters (HQ) about this, he was asked to pull back. He refused outright. ‘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, ‘ was his last message to the HQ.
    Just a few minutes later, while he was crouched in a trench next to the Bren gunner, helping him load the gun, a mortar shell landed on the open ammunition box next to them. An eardrum-shattering blast rent the air. ‘It blew up Somi, his sahayak (an officer’s helper or man Friday who looks after his uniform and turnout), the machine gunner and a JCO, who was standing nearby, ‘ recounts Lt Gen Sharma, his voice gentle.
    For Somi, who had insisted upon leading his company to Kashmir despite having his arm in plaster, it was all over. But it is considered a credit to his leadership that the men under his command kept his word. The non-commissioned officers (NCOs) of the company decided to fight on, and they managed to hold back the raiders for another hour even after Somi had died.
    In fact, as the ammunition became desperately short, another hero emerged. Lt Gen Sharma talks with great respect about Lance Naik Balwant Singh of D Company, who took a brave initiative when most of the soldiers were left with just one round or two. ‘He asked them to collect whatever rounds were left with them and hand those over to him. He then loaded his gun with these two or three magazines and told the rest of the men to retreat while he held up the enemy. “There is no point in everybody dying,” he said. “I will hold them back for the few minutes you need to disappear into the fields.”
    ‘So he and three others stayed back to battle the raiders while the rest left the hillock from the back. Shooting the last of their rounds, these four bravehearts got out of their trenches and charged at the enemy. They were killed but they helped their comrades survive,’ recalls the general.
    Overall, the brave action of D Company resulted in the raiders being delayed by close to six hours by which time the Indian Army had managed to get into position and block the enemy advance to Srinagar airfield. As aircrafts continued to fly in with more and more soldiers, the airfield defence had become strong enough to stop any attack.
    On the morning of 5 November, Badgam was counterattacked by the Indian Army and captured. The bodies of 300 raiders were counted, which proved just how ruthless the fight had been. The retaliatory fire had been so harsh that the Pathans had not been able to pick up their dead. Since they were not trained soldiers, they were not used to losing men in such a big way. The big losses broke their resolve and they started pulling back. When the Army took over Badgam, they found the Pakistanis retreating. ‘When a man’s will is broken, he cannot fight, ‘ says Lt Gen Sharma.
    In the battle of Badgam, 4 Kumaon lost Maj Somnath Sharma, Subedar Prem Singh Mehta and 20 other ranks. Twenty-six people were wounded in the operation. For his gallantry, tenacious defence and exemplary leadership that inspired his men to fight the enemy, in spite of being outnumbered seven to one, Maj Somnath Sharma was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) posthumously. It was the first PVC of independent India.

    We have come to the end of the interview and, as I switch off my Dictaphone, the general stands before a beautiful oil painting of his brother, which hangs on the wall. The late Maj Somnath Sharma of D Company, 4 Kumaon, is standing in his uniform, ribbons on his chest. He looks handsome and proud.
    Lt Gen Sharma turns away with a distant look in his eyes. ‘Somi died. He was not there to die, he was there to kill. A job had to be done. It was his job and he did it,’ he says. There is steel in