Vikram Batra was bestowed with Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour on 15 August 1999.
Kargil war hero Capt Vikram Batra was one of the Bravehearts of the country and his heroic tale deserves everyone's attention. For DNA's 'Shaurya Stories', look back at some inspiring stories of lesser-known heroes who created history in their own ways. Vikram Batra, who was bestowed with Param Vir Chakra posthumously died on July 7, 1999, during Kargil War fought between India and Pakistan.
Who was Captain Vikram Batra?
Born on September 9, 1974, Captain Vikram Batra spent his childhood in Palampur. During the 1999 Kargil War, his unit was ordered to recapture Point 5140 in his first major battle in the war. Even though the enemy had the higher ground, he led his men to a brilliant tactical assault on the enemy. The 13 J&K Rifles won a decisive victory which strengthened India’s hold on the territory and he was immortalised when he reportedly told his commander: 'Yeh dil maange more.' His next operation was to capture the 17000-feet high Point 4875, a tough challenge made harder by the steep slopes and chilly temperature.
On a fateful night, after shocking the enemy to retreat, he went to rescue a junior officer who had injured his legs in an explosion. Even though he took out five enemies with a grenade a bullet hit him on the chest.
PARAM VIR CHAKRA
Capt Vikram Batra was awarded Param Vir Chakra on August 15, 1999. His citation read as -
During ‘Operation Vijay’, on 20 June 1999, Captain Vikram Batra, Commander Delta Company was tasked to attack Point 5140. Captain Batra with his company skirted around the feature from the East and maintaining surprise reached within assaulting distance of the enemy. Captain Batra reorganized his column and motivated his men to physically assault the enemy positions. Leading from the front, he, in a daredevil assault, pounced on the enemy and killed four of them in a hand-to-hand fight.
On 7 July 1999, in another operation in the area Pt 4875, his company was tasked to clear a narrow feature with sharp cuttings on either side and heavily fortified enemy defences that covered the only approach to it. For speedy operation, Captain Batra assaulted the enemy position along a narrow ridge and engaged the enemy in a fierce hand-to-hand fight and killed five enemy soldiers at point-blank range. Despite sustaining grave injuries, he crawled towards the enemy and hurled grenades clearing the position with utter disregard to his personal safety, leading from the front, he rallied his men and pressed on the attack and achieved a near-impossible military task in the face of heavy enemy fire. The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries. Inspired by his daredevil act, his troops fell upon the enemy with vengeance, annihilated them and captured Point 4875.
Captain Vikram Batra, thus, displayed the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.”
Biopic on Captain Vikram Batra
Sidharth Malhotra will be seen playing the role of Capt Vikram Batra in his biopic titled Shershaah. The film is directed by Vishnu Varadhan and produced by Karan Johar under his home banner Dharma Productions. Shershaah also stars Kiara Advani as the female lead.
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