|
 Captain
Vikram Batra (September 9, 1974 - July 7, 1999) was an officer
of the Indian Army, posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra,
India's highest award for valour, for his actions during the
1999 Kargil War in Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Early life and career
Vikram Batra was born on September 9th, 1974 in
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, to Mr. G.L. Batra and Mrs. Jai Kamal
Batra.
Batra joined the Indian military academy in Dehradun in 1996,
and was commissioned in the Indian Army as Lieutenant of the 13
Jammu and Kashmir Rifles at Sopore, in Jammu and Kashmir. He
rose to the rank of Captain.
Popular Quotes and Exchanges
- Batra's Yeh Dil Maange More!, erstwhile a
popular slogan for a Pepsi commercial, became an iconic battle
cry that swept across the country and remains popular with
millions of Indians, invoked at patriotic public events, in
memory of the war and the soldiers, and as a symbol of an
inevitable spirit of Indian patriotism and valor in face of
future attacks.
- Upon reaching the Point 5140 he got into a
cheeky radio exchange with an enemy commander, who challenged
him by saying, "Why have you come Sher Shah (Vikram’s nick
name given by his commanding officer), you will not go back."
Captain Vikram Batra is said to have replied, “We shall see
within one hour, who remains on the top."
- While dragging Lt. Naveen back under cover,
Naveen pleaded to Captain Batra to let him continue the fight
in spite the injuries to which Captain Batra replied "Tu baal
bachedaar hai!! Hatt jaa peeche," ("You have kids and wife to
look after! Get back!").
- Batra's last words were the battle-cry "Jai
Mata Di!" ("Victory to Mother Durga!")
Param Vir Chakra
Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir
Chakra, India's highest military honor on August 15th, 1999, the
52nd anniversary of India's independence. His father Mr. G.L.
Batra received the honor for his deceased son from the President
of India, the late K.R. Narayanan.
In Media
The 2004 Hindi film Lakshya (Aim) was a largely fictionalized
film on Captain Batra's exploits and valor during the Kargil
conflict.
The 2001 Hindi film LOC Kargil based on the entire Kargil
conflict had Abhishek Bachchan playing the role of Captain Batra.
Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, and his Delta Company was
given the task of recapturing Point 5140. Nick-named Sher Shah
for his unstinting courage, he decided to lead the attack from
the rear as an element of surprise would help stupefy the enemy.
He & his men ascended the sheer rock-cliff and as the group
neared the top, the enemy opened machine gun fire on them,
pinning them on to the face of the bare rocky cliff. Captain
Batra along with five of his men climbed on regardless and after
reaching the top, hurled two grenades at the machine gun post.
He single handedly engaged three enemy soldiers in close combat
and killed them. He was seriously injured during this combat,
but insisted on regrouping his men to continue with the given
task at hand. Inspired by the extraordinary courage displayed by
Captain Batra, the soldiers of 13 JAK Rifles charged the enemy
position and captured Point 5140 at 3:30 a.m. on 20 June 1999.
His company is credited with killing at least 8 Pakistani
soldiers and recovering a heavy machine gun.
The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string
of successes like Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak and
Three Pimples. Captain Batra led his men to even more glorious
victories with the recapture of Point 4750 and Point 4875. He
was tragically killed, when he tried to rescue an injured
officer during an enemy counterattack against Point 4875 in the
early morning hours of 07 July 1999. His last words were, "Jai
Mata Di." For his sustained display of the most conspicuous
personal bravery and junior leadership of the highest order in
the face of the enemy, Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the
Param Vir Chakra, India's highest medal for gallantry,
posthumously. His father, Mr. G.L. Batra, received the award
from the President of India, on behalf of his brave son. Jai
Hind!! Jai Jawan!!
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