17 October 1995 | Gautipura, Budgam | Jammu and Kashmir
Naik Someswar Saikia of 8 Assam Regiment, serving with 35 Rashtriya Rifles, made the supreme sacrifice during a counter-insurgency operation in Gautipura village, Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 17 October 1995. Despite coming under sustained enemy fire and being critically wounded, he continued to engage the terrorists and helped his unit complete its mission.
Born on 31 December 1969 in Fategaon village in Assam's Kokrajhar district, Someswar Saikia joined the Indian Army and served with 8 Assam Battalion of The Assam Regiment. He was later deputed to 35 Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, where troops conducted operations against terrorist groups.
On 17 October 1995, Alpha Company of 35 Rashtriya Rifles was tasked with rooting out terrorists occupying positions in Gautipura village. Naik Saikia and Naik K. Jamkholet Kom were manning a light machine gun as part of a closed cordon. At about 1045 hours, terrorists in a nearby house opened effective fire on their position and repeatedly lobbed grenades.
Despite the intense firing and grenade attacks, Naik Saikia maintained effective fire against the terrorists. Showing exceptional courage and disregard for his personal safety, he crawled towards the house from which the enemy fire was coming. He closed in and lobbed a grenade, killing a terrorist who had been firing an M-80 medium machine gun at his comrades.
During this action, Naik Saikia was hit in the abdomen by a burst of fire from another house. Although critically wounded, he continued fighting. He charged the second terrorist and killed him before succumbing to his injuries at about 2015 hours on 17 October 1995.
His courage encouraged the other troops to continue the operation, which resulted in the elimination of six terrorists, including four foreign mercenaries. His actions reflected exceptional determination and devotion to duty under fire.
For his conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice, Naik Someswar Saikia was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra on 15 August 1996. He was survived by his wife, Bharati Saikia.
Naik Someswar Saikia, The Honour Post pays tribute to your exceptional courage and supreme sacrifice. Your determination to continue the fight despite grievous wounds stands as a lasting example of bravery and devotion to your comrades.
