Battle of Badgam

The Battle of Badgam was a defensive encounter that took place at Badgam (or Budgam) in the Kashmir Valley close to the Srinagar Airport during the initial stages of Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948. 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 1,000 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, in halting the momentum of advancing tribal "lashkars", though being heavily outnumbered which led the Indian Army to successfully secured outskirts of Srinagar. 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. This battle was followed by the decisive Battle of Shalateng.