The Battle of Badgam

Why Badgam mattered. The village of Badgam was about 5 km from the Srinagar airfield, higher up than the airfield, and the way to the airfield ran through the village. To protect the troops and the supplies coming by air, India had to hold this area.

There were unfounded rumours (talk with no proof) of tribal fighters moving towards Badgam. In fact, the enemy was already arriving there in small groups, so that nobody would notice.

3 November 1947. Several companies, including D Company, were sent to patrol the area and check for danger. All day, the valley was eerily silent (strangely and frighteningly quiet).

In the afternoon the companies were called back one by one. D Company, with 90 men, was the last, due back by 2 p.m.

That was when the enemy struck: when only a small group was left.

The first attack met stiff resistance. But Major Somnath saw that it was only a distraction. Soon after, the real attack came from another side.

Now 90 men faced about 500. He asked for air strikes, and bravely laid out ground panels himself, out in the open, to guide the aircraft to the target.

The air attacks hit the invaders. But D Company was still outnumbered almost seven to one: about seven enemies for every Indian soldier.

Under heavy fire, the men stood resolute (firm and determined). 'The air was thick with the sound of gunfire': the fighting was fierce. Through the chaos, the Major's voice urged them on to fight with tenacity (never giving up) and valour (bravery).

Though wounded, he moved fearlessly across the battlefield:

• directing fire;
• filling magazines (the cases that hold bullets) for his gunners;
• keeping his men in position.

When ammunition began to run out, headquarters told him to pull back. 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.'

Minutes later, crouched in a trench helping a machine gunner load his gun, his position was hit by a mortar shell. He was killed instantly.