Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: Captain Vikram Batra, who made the supreme sacrifice during Kargil war had, written a new saga of courage that will further enrich the traditions of the Indian Army.
Captain Batra, who was serving with 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK RIF) during Operation Vijay in the year 1999 along with his battalion was tasked to clear intruders from the dominating heights overlooking the Drass Town and NH-1A.
On June 20, 1999, Captain Batra, then leading “Delta” Company, displayed sterling leadership qualities by leading from the front to physically assault enemy positions on Point 5140 in the Drass sub-sector.
He launched a daredevil assault on the enemy, personally killing four intruders in a hand-to-hand fight.
On July 7, 1999, he volunteered to again assault and recaptures the area North of Point 4875 from where an enemy locality was interfering actively in the operations of 13 JAK RIF. Personally leading the assault on Point 4875, Captain Batra engaged the enemy in a fierce hand-to-hand fight and killed five enemy soldiers at point blank range. During the assault, despite sustaining grievous bullet injuries, Captain Batra crawled towards the next enemy sangar and continued to hurl grenades and fire from his AK-47. He rallied his men, pressed home the attack and finally succeeded in achieving what had seemed to be a militarily impossible task. Inspired by this extraordinary display of fearlessness and raw courage by their leader, the troops fell upon the enemy with a vengeance and vanquished them.
For his unparalleled feats of conspicuous personal gallantry and fearlessness in the face of enemy, exceptional fighting spirit, exemplary junior leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Vikarm Batra was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India‘s highest gallantry award.
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