On the 24th death anniversary, India honours the sacrifice of Kargil war hero Captain Vikram Batra. He bravely fought against Pakistani forces during the Kargil War and made the ultimate sacrifice on July 7, 1999. His name remains prominently in our thoughts as we remember the countless brave individuals who gave their lives. Captain Batra fearlessly gave his life in the service of India during the war, at the young age of 24. In recognition of his extraordinary bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award in times of war. Hailing from Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, Captain Batra had a twin brother and two sisters. He pursued his education at DAV College in Chandigarh and later enrolled at Panjab University for post-graduation. In 1996, he joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, where he trained for the armed forces and graduated a year later. Captain Batra's initial assignment was with the 13th Battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. Eventually, this regiment played a crucial role in defending Indian positions against the Pakistani troops who had infiltrated the Kargil region along the Line of Control (LoC).
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Lieutenant Vikram Batra of the 13th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and his Delta Company were ordered to recapture Point 5140, a key strategic peak in the Kargil War. The peak was located at an altitude of 17,000 feet, and Batra and his men planned to approach it from the rear to take the enemy by surprise. After a long battle, leading many enemy soldiers were killed but 13 J&K Rifles won a resounding victory for the 13 J&K Rifles. They killed many enemy soldiers and captured Point 5140 on June 20. Batra's courage inspired his men to charge the enemy positions, and he radioed his commanding officer, saying, "Chankya, it's Shershah reporting! We've captured a post! Yeh Dil Maange More!" This became the catchphrase for the Kargil War.
His fearless reputation instilled such fear in the hearts of the enemy that he was referred to as 'Sher Shah' in intercepted messages from the Pakistan army. Nine days after the victory at Peak 5140, Captain Batra bravely led his men on a crucial mission to retake Peak 4875. The objective was to rescue an injured Subedar in need of immediate assistance. During the mission's final stages, Captain Batra selflessly rushed out of the bunker to save another junior officer who had suffered leg injuries from an explosion. Despite the Subedar's pleas to take his place, Captain Batra insisted, "You have children, step aside." Tragically, as he attempted the rescue, a bullet struck his chest. With his last breath, he uttered the words, "Jai Mata Di" India successfully recaptured the peak but mourned the loss of Captain Vikram Batra. He was posthumously honoured with the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military accolade.
Captain Batra's father GL Batra has written a book titled ‘Param Vir Vikram Batra, the Sher Shah of Kargil', wherein he eloquently documented the life of his son. Vishnuvardhan's film "Shershaah" offers the world a glimpse into the determination, courage, and leadership of Captain Vikram Batra. Named after his army call sign, the movie starring Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani showcases how he embodied the spirit of Shershaah, ensuring the triumph of the Indian armed forces. Captain Vikram Batra, a courageous and indomitable soul, fearlessly embraced challenges throughout his life. His legacy lives on through buildings named in his honour in army cantonments and through the IAS exam questions referencing the peaks he conquered. His heroic example continues to inspire the younger generation to join the Indian army. We pay tribute to this valiant son of Mother India, who upheld his name 'Vikram' by fighting the good fight until the end.
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