Battle of Badgam

Last updated

Battle of Badgam
Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948
Date3 November 1947
Location
Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir
34°01′04″N74°43′32″E / 34.0179°N 74.7256°E / 34.0179; 74.7256
Result
  • Tribal advance halted
Territorial
changes		 Jammu and Kashmir remained in Indian hands [4]
Belligerents
Flag of India.svg  India Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Flag of India.svg Somnath Sharma   †
Flag of India.svg Dewan Singh   † 		Flag of Pakistan.svg Khurshid Anwar
Units involved
Flag of Indian Armed Forces.svg Indian Armed Forces
Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Tribal lashkars [6]
Strength
50–70 troops
Unknown amount of IAF Aircraft		 ~1000 men
Casualties and losses
15–22 killed
26 wounded [7] 		200 [8] –300 [9] killed

The Battle of Badgam [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] was a defensive encounter that took place at Badgam in the Kashmir Valley close to the Srinagar Airport during the initial stages of the First Kashmir War. The skirmishes took place on 3 November 1947 between a company of the Indian Army, aided by Indian Air Force, and a tribal lashkar of Pakistani raiders numbering around 1000, who had apparently occupied Badgam. The battle drew its significance from the success of the solitary company of 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, led by Major Somnath Sharma, [15] [16] in halting the momentum of advancing tribal "Lashkars", [6] though being heavily outnumbered. Sharma was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his actions. The Indian Air Force served as an accompaniment to the army's efforts in the battle, contributing to the majority of the casualties inflicted on the Pakistani lashkars. However the tribal forces would successfully raid badgam and defeat the Indian company at badgam and later infiltrate towards shalateng north of Srinagar, with another desicive called Battle of Shalateng. [17]

Contents

Backdrop

The battle took place at a point when Indian troops had just begun their fly-in into Srinagar airfield during the opening stages of the war. The Lashkar were advancing along three axes – North of Wular lake, along the main Muzzafarabad-Baramula-Patan-Srinagar axis, and from Gulmarg. Along the Gulmarg route, a Lashkar of 700 raiders was known to be approaching Badgam but no contact had been made with it. [18] : 25–27  The Lashkar would soon be in a position to seize the airfield and block the induction of Indian troops by air. Alternatively, they could bypass the Patan defenses from the south and reach Srinagar unhindered.

At that moment, only a weak brigade of Indian troops, withdrawn from refugee protection duties in Punjab and hastily airlifted, stood between groups of tribal Lashkars advancing towards Srinagar. Indian troops were deployed only at Srinagar airfield, Magam and Pattan. A detachment of Mahraja's Bodyguard (State Forces cavalry) reconnoitered North of Wular Lake. [8] : 51–69 

Patrol plan

Brigadier L.P. Sen, newly arrived commander of 161 Infantry Brigade decided to send a strong fighting patrol to the hills overseeing Badgam village 5 km west of it. The task of the patrol was to search the area in the vicinity of Badgam and the area between Badgam and Magam for signs of the infiltrating Pakistanis. The patrol was to comprise two companies of the 4th battalion of the Kumaon Regiment (4 KUMAON), reinforced with a company from the regiment's 1st battalion (1 KUMAON). The 1 KUMAON company was tasked to patrol ahead of Badgam by bounds, and link up with 1st Battalion, Punjab Regiment (1 PUNJAB) at Magam after which it would return by road. If no contact was made, the 4 KUMAON companies would fall back one by one, vacating Badgam at 1400 hrs. [8] : 66–67 

Battle of Badgam

On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma, commanding D Company of 4 KUMAON, led the patrol. The patrol proceeded as planned without incident till the time came for withdrawing from Badgam. Sharma was ordered to fall back one company at a time, one company at 1400 hrs and he along with his company at 1500 hrs. At 1430 hrs, the movement of tribals was seen to the West and near Badgam village. Sharma correctly surmised the movement in Badgam village was meant to divert attention while the attack would come in from the west. The Lashkar attacked from the West. Sharma's company was soon surrounded by the enemy from three sides and sustained heavy casualties from the ensuing mortar bombardment. Sharma realized the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if it were lost.

The Indian air forced played a major role in the battle, and caused the majority of Pakistani casualties. [5] [ page needed ]

Under heavy fire and outnumbered seven to one, [18] : 27  he urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post. Despite the forward two platoons falling, Sharma desperately clung to his position with the depth platoon. [19]

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: [18] : 28  [19]

"The enemies are only 50 yards from us. We are hopelessly outnumbered. I will not withdraw one inch but fight to the last man last round."

Spurred by his gallantry, Sepoy Dewan Singh Danu attacked the enemy fearlessly before losing his life. Dewan Singh was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for inflicting at least 22 casualties. [20] At the end of the battle, Indian casualties were 15-22 killed including. Major Somnath Sharma and 26 wounded. [21] The resistance of 4 Kumaon had halted the Lashkar Tribal advance after taking heavy losses.The Lashkar tribal forces suffered heavy casualties. 200+ tribal forces killed along with their 2 officers, 2 JCOs and 320+ tribesman wounded. [22]

Brigadier Sen then ordered a reorganization of the defenses. 1 PUNJAB was ordered to vacate Magam immediately and fall back to Srinagar.

At Evening, troops of 1 Punjab were moved to Badgam. They occupied blocking positions to secure the airfield. Now at night they waited. The airfield was still vulnerable. Yet, the Lashkar tribal forces failed to make a good opportunity to capture the airfield. The reason being the Khurshid, the leader of Laskar was injured which dithered on further course of action. [12] [23] Afterwards, 1 Punjab recaptured Badgam and secured the airfield and the remaining Lashkar tribal forces had to abandon their advance as heavy casualties occurred on their side.

Aftermath of battle

Despite heavy losses the company of 4 Kumaon under Major Somnath Sharma repelled the enemy advance. [13] For his courageous "last man, last round" stand, Maj Sharma [19] was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, Independent India's newly instituted highest award for gallantry. [24]

The fierce resistance of Sharma's company had caused 200 casualties to the raiders. Also, the tribal leader of the Lashkar had a bullet through his leg. [8] : 75  The Pakistani raiders made no attempt to exploit the vulnerabilities that night and move to the airfield or to Srinagar city. It is surmised that the incapacitation of the leader, the heavy losses, and reports of movement of 1 Punjab into the area had caused the Lashkar raiders to misjudge the tactical situation. [12] Later 1 Punjab recaptured Badgam securing airfield and caused the raiders to abandon their advance. [8] : 75  This also bought time for additional Indian troops to fly into the Srinagar airport the next day, reorganize and block all routes of ingress to Srinagar. [8] : 75 

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Param Vir Chakra</span> Indias highest military decoration

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. Param Vir Chakra translates as the "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave", and the award is granted for "most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy". As of January 2018, the medal has been awarded 21 times, of which 14 were posthumous and 16 arose from actions in Indo-Pakistani conflicts. Of the 21 awardees, 20 have been from the Indian Army and one has been from the Indian Air Force. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient. A number of state governments of India as well as ministries of the central government provide allowances and rewards to recipients of the PVC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu and Kashmir Rifles</span> Regiment of the Indian Army

The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. Its origins lay in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. After the accession of the state to the Indian Union in October 1947, the State Forces came under the command of the Indian Army. They remained in the original form until 1956 when Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly effectively ratified the state's accession to India. Then the State Forces became the Jammu and Kashmir Regiment of the Indian Army. In 1963, the designation was changed to Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. After the conversion, the Ladakh Scouts came under the aegis of the Regiment, where it remained until raised as a separate Regiment in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Gorkha Rifles</span> Regiment of the Indian Army

The 11th Gorkha Rifles is a Gorkha regiment of the Indian Army that was re-raised after independence. The regiment consists of primarily the Kirant Tribes Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, Sunuwar of Eastern Nepal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars of West Bengal, Sikkim and other parts of Northeast India. Though it is considered to be the youngest of the Gorkha regiments its lineage is as long as those of the 7th Gurkha Rifles and 10th Gurkha Rifles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parachute Regiment (India)</span> Airborne regiment of the Indian Army

The Parachute Regiment is an airborne and special forces regiment of the Indian Army. It was raised in 1945 as part of the British Indian Army but was disbanded after World War II and was re-raised in 1952 as part of the Indian Army. Currently it consists of fifteen Special Forces, two Territorial Army and one Rashtriya Rifles battalions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumaon Regiment</span> Military unit

The Kumaon Regiment is one of the oldest infantry regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars, and is one of the highest decorated regiments of the Indian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon</span> Recipient of Param Vir Chakra

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration during war time, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry</span> Regiment of the Indian Army

The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regimental center is in Srinagar's Airport Complex at Awantipora with a winter setup near Jammu. Its regimental insignia consists of a pair of crossed rifles. The regiment mostly consists of volunteers from the state of Jammu & Kashmir and ethnic groups from the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry is considered to be one of the most decorated regiment of the Indian army having won 1 Param Veer Chakra and 3 Ashok Chakra. Naib Subedar Chuni Lal of the 8th battalion Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry is one of the most decorated personnel of the Indian Army.

Savitri Bai Khanolkar was a Swiss-Indian designer, best known for designing the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. Khanolkar also designed several other major gallantry medals including the Ashok Chakra (AC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Kirti Chakra (KC), Vir Chakra (VrC) and Shaurya Chakra (SC). She had also designed the General Service Medal 1947, which was used until 1965. Khanolkar was also a painter and an artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajput Regiment</span> Regiment of the Indian Army

The Rajput Regiment is one of the oldest infantry regiments of the Indian Army, originating in 1778 with the raising of the 24th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry. The 1st battalion of the regiment was formed in 1798.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garhwal Rifles</span> Regiment of the Indian Army

The Garhwal Rifles, are an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised in 1887 as the 39th (Garhwal) Regiment of the Bengal Army. It then became part of the British Indian Army, and after the Independence of India, it was incorporated into the Indian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaitan Singh</span> Indian military officer and Param Vir Chakra recipient (1924–1962)

Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC was an Indian Army officer and recipient of India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra. Singh was born in Rajasthan. On completing his graduation, Singh joined the Jodhpur State Forces. He was transferred to the Kumaon Regiment after the princely state of Jodhpur was merged into India. He took part in operations in the Naga Hills and also in the 1961 Indian annexation of Goa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somnath Sharma</span> First recipient of the Param Vir Chakra

Somnath Sharma, PVC, was an Indian military officer and the first recipient of India's highest military decoration, Param Vir Chakra (PVC), which he was awarded posthumously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karam Singh</span> Indian soldier and war hero, 1915–1993

Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh PVC, MM was an Indian soldier and a recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest award for gallantry. Singh joined the army in 1941, and took part in the Burma Campaign of World War II, receiving the Military Medal for his actions during the Battle of the Admin Box in 1944. He also fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, and was awarded the PVC for his role in saving a forward post at Richhmar Gali, south of Tithwal. He was also one of the five soldiers chosen to raise the Indian flag for the first time after independence in 1947. Singh later rose to the rank of subedar, and was conferred the rank of honorary captain before his retirement in September 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbaksh Singh</span> Recipient of Vir Chakra

Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh, VrC was an Indian senior military officer. As the commander of the Western Command, Singh commanded the Indian Army and played a key role during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. For his role in the war, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piru Singh</span> Recipient of Param Vir Chakra

Company Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat was an Indian Army non-commissioned officer, awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) posthumously, India's highest military decoration for gallantry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Eraze</span>

Operation Eraze is the codename of the assault and capture of Gurais in northern Kashmir by the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.

Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai, MVC was an Indian Army officer who played a key role during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. As the commanding officer of the 1st battalion, The Sikh Regiment, he was the first recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra, which was awarded posthumously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajinder Singh (brigadier)</span> Army officer

Brigadier Rajinder Singh Jamwal, MVC, also remembered as the Saviour of Kashmir, was an officer in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces. He briefly served as the Chief of Staff of State Forces and died fighting during the First Kashmir War. Rajinder Singh and his small contingent of about 100 men successfully delayed the advance of a 6000 strong force of Pakistani tribal raiders near Uri for several days, during which the Maharaja of Kashmir acceded to India and the Indian forces air-lifted for the defence of Kashmir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khurshid Anwar (Major)</span> Pakistani activist and militant

Khurshid Anwar was a member of Indian National Army and an activist of All-India Muslim League, heading its private militia, the Muslim League National Guard. Described as a "shadowy figure" and "complete adventurer", he is generally addressed as a "Major" in Pakistani sources. He was a key figure in the rise of the Muslim League during 1946–47, organising its campaigns in Punjab and North-West Frontier Province, prior to India's partition. After the independence of Pakistan, he was instrumental in organising the tribal invasion of Kashmir, leading to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.

The Battle of Shalateng was a military engagement on 7 November 1947, during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948. It was a decisive battle that resulted in the halting of the Pakistani offensive and the beginning of the Indian counter offensive.

References

  1. ↑ Mallya, Sameer (Spring 2015). "The First Param Vir: Major Somnath Sharma" (PDF). scholar warrior. Retrieved 14 November 2024. The gallant actions of Maj Sharma and his men from 4 KUMAON successfully blunted the attack by the Pakistani raiders and provided the much needed time for the Indian Army to fortify defences around Srinagar, thus, enabling India to prevent Kashmir from falling into the hands of the enemy.
  2. ↑ "Major Somnath Sharma PVC". Honourpoint. Retrieved 14 November 2024. By the time the relief company reached Badgam, their position was lost. However, the 200 casualties suffered by the raiders, slowed their advance, buying time for Indian troops to fly into Srinagar airfield and block all routes to Srinagar. It can be said that Major Somnath Sharma played a pivotal role in preventing the fall of Srinagar and perhaps even Kashmir.
  3. ↑ Krishen Raina, Shiben. "Frontline Hero: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam". Good Morning Kashmir. Retrieved 14 November 2024. Lastly, though Major Somnath was martyred along with many of his comrades, he did not allow the tribals to move forward and capture the airstrip at Badgam, and thus Kashmir was saved from going into the hands of Pakistan.
  4. ↑ Jain, Sanya (3 November 2020). "This Article is From Nov 03, 2020Tributes Pour In For Major Somnath Sharma On Battle Of Badgam Day". NDTV. Retrieved 14 November 2024. Pakistani infiltrators were only 50 yards away when Major Somnath Sharma sent his iconic last message to the Brigade Headquarters. "We are heavily outnumbered... I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man," he said. Major Somnath Sharma died for the country on this day in 1947, while fighting infiltrators in Jammu and Kashmir.
  5. 1 2 Kumar, Bharat (2014). An incredible war: Indian Air Force in Kashmir War 1947–1948 (2nd ed.). New Delhi: KW Publishers in association with Centre for Air Power Studies. ISBN   978-93-81904-52-7.
  6. 1 2 The term "lashkar" in this context means a group of a thousand tribals of one ethnicity from North West Frontier Province, armed by Pakistani Army and encouraged to infiltrate and raid Kashmir for booty.
  7. ↑ Whitehead, Andrew (2007), A Mission in Kashmir, Penguin, p. 156, ISBN   978-0-670-08127-1
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sen, Maj Gen L. P. (1969). Slender Was the Thread: Kashmir Confrontation 1947–48. New Delhi: Orient Longman. p. 308. ISBN   0-86131-692-4 . Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  9. ↑ Cardozo, Major General Ian (31 December 2003). Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle. Roli Books Private Limited. ISBN   978-93-5194-029-6. bodies of over 300 tribesmen were counted
  10. ↑ "Defence of Srinagar 1947". Indian Defence Review. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  11. ↑ Sen, Maj Gen L. P. (1969). Slender Was the Thread: Kashmir Confrontation 1947–48. New Delhi: Orient Longman. p. 308. ISBN   0-86131-692-4 . Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  12. 1 2 3 Harpreet (3 November 2017). "Maj Somnath Sharma, PVC (P) and The Battle of Badgam". Harpreet's Blog. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Battle of Budgam: Pakistanis Failed Effort to Secure Srinagar Airfield". Indian Defence Review. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  14. ↑ Ray, Ashis (25 March 2023). "1947 Indo-Pak war: what the Bucher papers show". Frontline. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "Major Somnath Sharma PVC – Honourpoint" . Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Frontline Hero: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam". hindupost.in. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  17. ↑ Amin, Agha (18 March 2017). The 14 Month Battles for Kashmir: The Longest and Least Read and Known Indo Pak War Fought Over a Vast Area. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN   978-1-5447-3836-9. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Here they successfully raided and dispersed an Indian infantry company inflicting in the process an extremely heavy loss on the Indians in terms of men killed including the Indian Company commander Major Somnath Sharma18.
  18. 1 2 3 Sinha, Lt. Gen. S.K. (1977). Operation Rescue:Military Operations in Jammu & Kashmir 1947–49. New Delhi: Vision Books. p. 174. ISBN   81-7094-012-5 . Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  19. 1 2 3 "Tributes Pour In For Major Somnath Sharma On Battle Of Badgam Day". NDTV.com. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Sep Dewan Singh, MVC @ TWDI". twdi.in. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  21. ↑ Raina, Dr Shiben Krishen (14 August 2023). "Frontline Hero: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam". Daily Good Morning Kashmir. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Major Somnath Sharma – First Param Vir Chakra Awardee | India of the Past". www.indiaofthepast.org. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  23. ↑ Kumar, Bharat (2014). An incredible war: Indian Air Force in Kashmir War 1947–1948 (2nd ed.). New Delhi: KW Publishers in association with Centre for Air Power Studies. ISBN   978-93-81904-52-7.
  24. ↑ Entry on "Maj Somnath Sharma, PVC (Posthumous)" on Indian Army website. Accessed 6 August 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.