ASSIGNMENT 1

Major Somnath Sharma

Major Somnath Sharma, PVC (31 January 1923 – 3 November 1947), was an officer of the Indian
Army, and the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest military decoration,
which he was awarded posthumously.[2]
Sharma was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, in 1942.[3] He
served in Burma during the Arakan Campaign of World War II, for which he was mentioned in
dispatches. Fighting in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, Somnath Sharma was killed in
action on 3 November 1947 while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport.. For his
gallantry and sacrifice during the Battle of Badgam, he was posthumously awarded the Param
Vir Chakra.
On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company was ordered on a fighting patrol to
Badgam in the Kashmir Valley. The enemy, estimated at about 500 attacked his company
position from three sides; the company began to sustain heavy casualties. Fully realizing the
gravity of the situation Major Somnath Sharma urged his company to fight the enemy
tenaciously. He repeatedly exposed himself to the full fury of enemy fire and laid out cloth
strips to guide our aircraft onto their targets in full view of the enemy.. A mortar shell landed
right in the middle of the ammunition resulting in an explosion that killed himHis
leadership, gallantry and tenacious defence were such that his men were inspired to fight the
enemy by seven to one, six hours after this gallant officer had been killed. He has set an
example of courage and qualities seldom equalled in the history of the Indian Army.

2nd Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane

Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane was born on 26th June 1918 in Chendia village in Karwar district
of Karnataka. Born in a Konkan Kshatriya Maratha community, Maj Rane had his education in
different parts of the country as his father was in a transferable job. He joined the Army during
the World War II at the age of 22 yrs and was commissioned into Bombay Sappers in July 1940.
Maj Rane as a young officer took part in the Burma war during World War II and then played a
vital role in Indo-Pak war of 1947-48. He retired on 25 June 1968 after serving for 21 years in
the Army and left for his heavenly abode on 11 July 1994 owing to natural causes. He proved his
mettle as an outstanding soldier in Indo-Pak war and was given the nation’s highest gallantry
award, “Param Vir Chakra” in 1948. 2nd Lt Rane played a pivotal role in the recapture of Rajouri
and saving its populace from further atrocities by the enemy forces. He was awarded “Param
Vir Chakra” for his unparalleled courage, leadership and commitment. Besides the coveted PVC,
Maj Rane also got five “Mention-in-Dispatches” and a commendation by the Chief of Army Staff
during his service career.
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar
Subedar Major[1][2] Sanjay Kumar PVC (born 3 March 1976[3]) is a Junior Commissioned Officer in
the Indian Army, and recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military award. Sanjay
Kumar was born in village Kalol Bakain in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh. Prior to joining
the army, he worked as a taxi driver in New Delhi.[5] His application was rejected three times
before he was finally selected to join the army.
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar volunteered to be the leading scout of the attacking column tasked to
capture area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley on 4 July 1999. During the attack
when enemy automatic fire from one of the sangars posed stiff opposition and stalled the
column, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, realizing the gravity of the situation and with utter disregard to
his personal safety, charged at the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he killed three
of the intruders and was himself seriously injured. Despite his injuries, he charged onto the
second bunker. Taken totally by surprise, the enemy left behind a Universal Machine Gun and
started running.
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar picked up the UMG and killed the fleeing enemy. Although bleeding
profusely, he refused to be evacuated. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar displayed most conspicuous
gallantry, cool courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order in the face of the
enemy.

Captain Vikram Verma

Vikram Batra PVC (9 September 1974 – 7 July 1999) was an officer of the Indian Army. He was
posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest Indian military decoration, for his
actions during the Kargil War; on 7 July 1999, Batra was killed while fighting Pakistani
troops around Area Ledge, Point 4875, in the Kargil district of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir.
During 'Operation Vijay', on 20 June 1999, Captain Vikram Batra, Commander Delta Company
was tasked to attack Point 5140. Captain Batra with his company skirted around the feature
from the East and maintaining surprise reached within assaulting distance of the enemy.
Leading from the front, he in a daredevil assault, pounced on the enemy and killed four of them
in a hand-to hand fight. On 7 July 1999, in another operation in the area Pt 4875. For speedy
operation, Captain Batra assaulted the enemy position along a narrow ridge and engaged the
enemy in a fierce hand –to-hand fight and killed five enemy soldiers at point blank range.
Despite sustaining grave injuries, he crawled towards the enemy and hurled grenades clearing
the position with utter disregard to his personal safety, leading from the front, he rallied his
men and pressed on the attack and achieved a near impossible military task in the face of heavy
enemy fire. The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries. Inspired by his daredevil act, his
troops fell upon the enemy with vengeance, annihilated them and captured Point 4875.
Major Shaitan Singh
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC (1 December 1924 – 18 November 1962) was an Indian Army
officer and recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration. 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.
During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, 13th Battalion of Kumaon Regiment was stationed in
the Chushul sector. C Company, under the command of Singh, was holding a position at Rezang
La. In the morning hours of 18 November 1962, the Chinese attacked. After several
unsuccessful attacks from the front, the Chinese attacked from the rear. The Indians fought
until their last rounds, before eventually being overpowered by the Chinese. During the battle,
Singh continuously moved from post to post reorganizing the defences and boosting the morale
of his men. As he moved between the posts without any cover, he was seriously wounded, and
later succumbed to his injuries. For his actions on 18 November 1962, Singh was awarded the
Param Vir Chakra.