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Somnath Sharma, PVC (31 January 1923 – 3 November 1947), was an Indian military officer and the first recipient of India's highest military decoration, Param Vir Chakra (PVC), which he was awarded posthumously. [2] Sharma was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, in 1942. [3] .
Major Somnath Sharma was killed while leading his men on a fighting patrol to Budgam village in Kashmir while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar airport in November 1947.
Somnath Sharma was serving as a Major in the Delta Company of 4th Kumaon Regiment when the Pakistani invasion of Jammu and Kashmir began on October 22, 1947. By the next morning, the first troops and equipment had begun being airlifted from Delhi's Palam airport to Srinagar.
Jan 31, 2024 · On 21 June 1950, Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, marking the first time this honour was bestowed. Major Somnath Sharma's leadership, gallantry, and tenacious defence set an unparalleled example in the history of the Indian Army.
Jan 23, 2020 · Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the highest military honour in India, the Param Vir Chakra, in 1950. At the time he was only 24. Despite a fracture in his arm, Major Somnath fought with bravery. He led his battalion to Budgam in Kashmir in October 1947, to thwart Pakistani infiltration and lost his life.
Major Somnath Sharma led his company to fight the enemy with dogged determination. With extreme bravery he kept rushing across the open ground to his troops, skilfully directed their fire onto the enemy, until a mortar shell exploded near him.
Major Somnath Sharma sacrificed his life for the country when he was only 24 years of age. Born on 31 January 1923, he was the son of an illustrious Major General Amaranth Sharma. He became the first recipient of India’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir chakra.
