Naik Someswar Saikia, SC

Naik Someswar Saikia was born on 31st December 1969 in Fategaon village, located in the Kokrajhar district of Assam. He was the son of Shri Pani Ram Saikia and Smt Alahi Saikia. From an early age, Nk Someswar Saikia exhibited qualities of discipline, courage, and a strong sense of duty—traits that would later define his career in the armed forces. After completing his school education, he decided to serve the nation by joining the Indian Army. He was inducted into the 8 Assam Battalion of the Assam Regiment, an infantry regiment known for its fearless warriors and distinguished service record. The Assam Regiment, which was raised on 15th June 1941 in Shillong, has earned immense respect over the decades for its exemplary performance in various operations. Notably, the regiment was awarded Battle Honours for its valiant defence during the Battle of Chamb in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, underscoring its combat prowess and unyielding spirit.

Over the years, Nk Someswar Saikia proved his mettle through dedication and competence, eventually rising to the rank of Naik. Later he was deputed to serve with the 35 Rashtriya Rifles, a unit actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. This move demonstrated his unwavering commitment to duty, as Rashtriya Rifles personnel often operate in highly challenging and dangerous environments to maintain internal security and combat terrorism. 

Conuter-Insurgency Operation (J&K):17 Oct 1995

During 1995, Naik Someswar Saikia's unit 35 Rashtriya Rifles was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. On 17 Oct 1995, Alpha Company of 35 Rashtriya Rifles was assigned a high-risk operation to flush out terrorists holed up in the village of Gautipura, located in the Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. The mission was critical, aimed at neutralizing a group of heavily armed militants operating in the region. Among the brave soldiers deployed was Naik Someswar Saikia, who was manning a Light Machine Gun (LMG) along with Naik K. Jamkholet Kom as part of the closed cordon set up around the target area. Their position was vital in cutting off any escape routes and providing covering fire during the assault.

At approximately 1045 hours, their LMG post came under intense and sustained fire from terrorists entrenched in a nearby house. The militants also launched grenades in an attempt to break the cordon and destabilize the position held by the LMG team. Despite the withering enemy fire and the constant danger of incoming grenades, Naik Someswar Saikia stood his ground with unwavering determination. He continued to lay down effective suppressive fire, preventing the terrorists from advancing and protecting his fellow soldiers. Displaying exceptional courage and complete disregard for his personal safety, Naik Saikia made the bold decision to advance towards the enemy stronghold. He crawled forward under heavy fire, inching closer to the house from where the militants were engaging the troops. Once within striking range, he lobbed a grenade into the house. The explosion neutralized one terrorist, who had been manning an M-80 medium machine gun, inflicting heavy casualties on the advancing troops.

However, just moments after this act of valour, Naik Saikia was struck in the abdomen by a burst of automatic fire from another house nearby, occupied by a second terrorist. Though critically wounded, he refused to retreat or give up the fight. Drawing on extraordinary reserves of courage and willpower, he charged towards the second position, determined to eliminate the threat to his comrades. In a final act of heroism beyond the call of duty, he engaged the terrorist in close combat and killed him, before succumbing to his grievous injuries before he could turn 26. Naik Someswar Saikia's gallant action and supreme sacrifice turned the tide of the operation. His fearless example inspired his comrades to press the assault with renewed vigor. The mission concluded with the elimination of six terrorists, including four foreign mercenaries, restoring a measure of peace and security to the area. For his conspicuous bravery, exceptional leadership, and ultimate sacrifice, Naik Someswar Saikia was posthumously awarded the "Shaurya Chakra" on 15 August 1996—one of India's highest peacetime gallantry awards. 

Naik Someswar Saikia is survived by his wife Smt Bharati Saikia.

The citation for "Shaurya  Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On 17 Oct 1995, A Coy of 35 RR was tasked to root out the terrorism in the village of Gautipura (MT-5809) Dist-Budgam (J&K). Nk Someswar Saikia along with Nk K Jamkholet Kom were manning a LMG as a part of closed cordon. At about 1045 hrs this LMG came under effective fire from terrorists from nearby house. Despite effective fire of terrorists and their continuous lobbing of grenades, Nk Someswar Saikia continued to bring down effective fire on terrorists. Showing exemplary courage with utter disregard to personal safety, Nk Someswar Saikia crawled up to the house occupied by the terrorists from where effective fire was coming. He closed in and lobbed a grenade which killed one terrorist who was firing from an M-80 MMG at his comrades. In this act of unparallel courage Nk Someswar Saikia was hit in his abdomen by a burst of terrorist fire, from another house. Despite being critically wounded Nk Someswar Saikia displaying extraordinary bravery beyond the call of duty single handedly charged at the second terrorist and killed him.

Nk Someswar Saikia in this action made the supreme sacrifice of his life which encouraged all ranks of Coy and bn. This ultimately led to the elimination of six terrorists (including four foreign mercenaries). For this conspicuous act of gallantry he was awarded SHAURYA CHAKRA (Posthumously) on 15 Aug 1996.