KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar Thursday paid homage to Maj Somnath Sharma, who was killed in 1947 in a fight with tribals in Budgam area of Kashmir valley.
“For exceptional bravery and sacrifice Maj Somnath Sharma was awarded the first Param Vir Chakra,” Srinagar based defence spokesperson said in a statement issued this late evening.
Param Vir Chakra is highest gallantry award in India.
The Karewa high ground in Baudgam had witnessed a major battle between Indian Army soldiers on 3 Nov 1947 and tribals from North-west of ten established Pakistan.
Accompanied by the Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda, Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen JS Sandhu and Victor Force Commander Maj Gen Ashok Narula, Parrikar laid wreaths at the memorial and interacted with the troops, veterans and their families.
Amongst those present were several senior officers of the Kumaon Regiment such as Lt Gen Bobby Mathews and the Commanding Officer of 4 Kumaon Battalion which has ‘Srinagar’ as the unit Battle Honour.
“The occasion bore the solemnity that it deserved and also afforded a confluence of the past and the present as the veterans and the serving soldiers interacted freely with the Raksha Mantri,” the spokesperson said.
“In his interaction with the veterans, the statement added, “the Raksha Mantri listened to a number of issues raised by them and assured them of their expeditious redressal.”
In his address to the troops, the defence minister expressed his delight to be “amidst them to mark this momentous occasion in history and reiterated the nation’s pride and support for the entire soldier fraternity”.
Earlier in the day, the RM interacted with the soldiers in Badambagh where he “complimented them for their devotion to duty and reassured that the whole nation recognised their commitment and sacrifice and stood resolute behind them”.
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