Service No : 2567708F

Place of birth : Trivandrum, Kerala

Service : Army

Last Rank : Sepoy

Unit : 18 Madras

Arm/Regt : The Madras Regiment

Operation : Indo-Pak War 1971

Martyrdom : December 17, 1971

Sepoy V Somasekharan

Sepoy V Somasekharan son of Shri Vasudeva Nair hailed from Karamana city, in the Trivandrum district of Kerala—a region renowned for its rich cultural heritage and a long-standing tradition of service in the armed forces. After completing his school education, he chose the path of national service by enlisting in the Indian Army. He was inducted into the 18 Madras Battalion of the Madras Regiment, one of the oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments of the Indian Army. Known for its exemplary discipline, steadfast courage, and illustrious legacy, the regiment shaped in him a strong sense of duty, pride, and commitment to uphold its honoured traditions. During the 1971 Indo–Pak War, Sepoy Somasekharan’s unit was deployed in the strategically important Nayachor–Umarkot sector on the western front. The area presented severe operational challenges, including vast desert expanses, harsh climatic conditions, and the constant threat of enemy engagement. Despite these difficulties, 18 Madras operated with exceptional determination and resilience, playing a crucial role in containing and repelling Pakistani forces. Their efforts ensured that no significant enemy breakthrough occurred, thereby contributing to the overall stability of the sector.
 

Throughout his service, Sepoy Somasekharan exemplified the qualities of a disciplined and dependable soldier. He carried out his duties with professionalism, quiet courage, and unwavering resolve, even under the most demanding conditions. Known for his sincerity and composure under pressure, he proved himself to be a reliable member of his unit. Over time, he served in various operational areas and participated in important assignments, consistently reflecting the core values and ethos of the Indian Army.

 
Indo-Pak War: 16-17 Dec 1971
 

In 1971, Sepoy V Somasekharan’s unit, 18 Madras, was deployed in the southern Rajasthan sector during a period of grave national crisis. India was compelled to go to war with Pakistan following the large-scale atrocities committed in its eastern wing, which led to an unprecedented influx of millions of refugees into India. The magnitude of this humanitarian crisis made armed conflict unavoidable. As a result, India was engaged in a two-front war—on the eastern front, which culminated in the liberation of Bangladesh, and on the western front to counter Pakistani military offensives. The Rajasthan sector on the western front held considerable strategic importance. Indian forces, including the 11 Infantry Division and the 12 Infantry Division, were tasked with offensive operations against Pakistani positions. The operational plan envisaged a two-pronged advance: the 12 Infantry Division along the Longewala–Rahim Yar Khan axis, and the 11 Infantry Division along the Barmer–Naya Chor axis. However, the situation evolved rapidly when Pakistan launched a major armoured assault on Longewala on the night of 3 December 1971. This attack was decisively repulsed by Indian troops, supported effectively by the Indian Air Force, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and shifting the momentum in India’s favour.

 

Amid these developments, 18 Madras, operating under the 11 Infantry Division, launched its offensive on 4 December 1971. The battalion swiftly overran Pakistani border posts and advanced with determination into enemy territory. By 11 December, it had established contact with the Naya Chor defences. Continuing its relentless advance across harsh desert terrain under constant threat of enemy fire, the battalion reached Hingora Tar on 16 December, just two kilometres short of Umarkot. During these critical operations, Capt Shankar Shankhapan Walkar, serving as the Mortar Officer of the battalion, played a pivotal role in coordinating and directing effective fire support, which was crucial in sustaining the battalion’s combat momentum and operational effectiveness. Sepoy Somasekharan was an integral part of these forward operations, sharing in the hardships and dangers of continuous combat in extremely demanding conditions. On 16 December 1971, as the battalion consolidated its positions at Hingora Tar, it came under intense and sustained enemy shelling. Displaying exceptional courage, composure, and devotion to duty, Sepoy Somasekharan continued to perform his responsibilities despite the heavy bombardment. During this engagement, he sustained grievous injuries and, despite all efforts to save him, succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The operations in this sector came at a heavy cost to 18 Madras. Alongside Captain SS Walkar, and Sepoy V Somasekharan, 21 other brave soldiers of 18 Madras made the supreme sacrifice during these operations, including Sub AP Sreedhara Dass, Nb Sub NN Krishnan, Hav A P Ponnappan, Nk M Mani, L Nk SA Narayan, L Nk Panoly Govi, Sep M Muthaiah, Sep Amir Miyan, Sep GV Pillai, Sep Rajan, Sep NCM Appachu, Sep Sampathu, Sep RG Krishna Kurup, Sep Gajendran, Sep Shaik Mahaboob, Sep MA Kasinathan, Sep Arasan Raju, Sep Basav Rajappa, Sep J Ganesan, Sep C Kandasamy and Sep Revan Siddappa. Their sacrifice remains a testament to the courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment of the soldiers of 18 Madras, who upheld the highest traditions of the Indian Army in the face of adversity.

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