The correct answer is: A. Somnath Sharma
Somnath Sharma was an Indian Army officer who was posthumously awarded the highest peace time gallantry award ‘Ashok Chakra’ for his bravery during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. He was born on 23 December 1923 in the village of Gopalpur, in the district of Jhelum, Punjab, British India. He was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK Rif) in 1942.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Sharma was commanding a company of the JAK Rif at the Battle of Jhangar. On 23 November 1947, the Pakistani forces attacked the Indian position at Jhangar. Sharma led his men in a counter-attack, and was killed in action. He was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peace time gallantry award.
The Ashok Chakra is the highest peace time gallantry award in India. It is awarded to Indian Armed Forces personnel for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, not involving actual conflict with any enemy. The award was instituted on 26 January 1950, the Republic Day of India.
The Ashok Chakra is a circular, gold-plated medal with a diameter of 35 mm. The obverse of the medal bears the image of the Ashoka Chakra, a wheel with 24 spokes. The reverse of the medal bears the inscription “Ashok Chakra” in Hindi and English. The medal is suspended from a green ribbon with a red stripe in the middle.
The Ashok Chakra is a very prestigious award, and is only awarded to a very few individuals each year. It is a great honour to be awarded the Ashok Chakra, and it is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the recipient.