The battle of Badgam was fought
on 03 Nov 1947 .
Two companies of 4 Kumaon were deployed on the hill features overlooking
Badgam. As no raider activities were reported, one company was withdrawn at
about 1400 hours. At about 1430 hours, half an hour prior to the time given for
the withdrawal, the Company Commander of the second company, Major Som Nath
Sharma reported that his company was under fire from the houses in Badgam
village. Shortly, radio communication with Major Sharma was disrupted. Greatly
out numbered by the enemy by as much as 7:1, the company of 4 Kumaon held out
effectively engaging the enemy. The forward platoons of the company were over
run. But Maj Sharma held out with the depth platoon. He was later killed by a
mortar bomb. The officer was subsequently awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. The
situation was restored as reinforcements arrived by 1700 hours. Air support was
also made available for the operation.
An illustration of the operation is attached as Appendix D.
1. Causes of Success. The causes of own success can by
analysed as under :-
(a) Though not tasked to fight to the last
man and last round, the 4 Kumaon company did so, averting a running fight with
attendant disadvantages.
(b) Effective air support was provided which
had as much of a psychological effect as fire power effect.
(c) Sound leadership by Major Sharma, who
realising the threat to Srinagar
airfield on the fall of Badgam decided to hold his position inspite of heavy
losses.
(d) Injury to the Pathan leader, Khurshed
denied him effective control of the operations. This also exposed a weakness of
the raiding force which was rendered rudderless once its leader was
ineffective.
2. Factors Which
Saved Srinagar Srinagar
from the onslaught of the raiders in Oct 1947 were as follows : -
(a)
The delay imposed by the state forces at
Muzaffarabad.
(b)
The delay imposed by Brigadier Rajinder Singh’s
party at Uri.
(c) Time wasted by the raiders in their
rampage at Baramulla.
(d) 1 Sikh’s delaying action at Baramulla and
Pattan.
(e) 4 Kumaon’s heroic stand at Badgam.
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