Naik Pattamada Soamiah S Shambu

Naik Pattamada Somaiah S hailed from Madikeri taluk of Kodagu district in Karnataka and was born on 21st July 1949. Son of Shri PB Somaiah, Nk Pattamada joined the army after completing his school education at the age of 24-years. He was recruited into Madras Engineering Group (MEG) of the Corps of Engineers. After completing his training, he joined MEG and served in various operational areas. By the year-1991, he had been promoted to the rank of Naik and had put in over 17-years of service in the army.

Op Rakshak: May 1991

During 1991, Nk Pattamada’s unit was deployed in the J&K area as part of Op Rakshak. As his unit’s AOR (Area Of Responsibility) was affected with militant activities, the unit troops had to maintain a high level of readiness at all times and were engaged in operations against the militants on a frequent basis.  As part of the ongoing operation, “Op Rakshak” the unit got involved in a counter-insurgency operation on 7th May 1991. Nk Pattamada was part of the team that was tasked with this operation.

As the operation commenced, it soon turned into an armed confrontation. In the ensuing battle, the militants besides using automatic weapons also lobbed grenades. Nk Pattamada got seriously injured in one of the grenade attacks. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Nk Pattamada was a dedicated soldier with a high level of devotion to duty and laid down his life in the service of the nation. Nk Pattamada is survived by his wife Smt Mallige daughters Smt Hemalatha PS  & Smt Ramya PS and son Shri Thimmaih.