Service No : IC-57556H

Date of Birth : September 9, 1974

Place of birth : Palampur, (HP)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Captain

Unit : 13 JAK Rif

Arm/Regt : The J & K Rifles

Operation : Op Vijay

Awards : PVC

Martyrdom : July 7, 1999

Captain Vikram Batra PVC

Captain Vikram Batra was born on 9th September 1974 and hailed from Bandla Gaon in Palampur district of Himachal Pradesh. Son of Shri Girdhari Lal Batra and Smt Kamal Kanta, Capt Vikram Batra received his primary education from D.A.V Public School, Palampur and then completed his senior secondary education from Kendriya Vidyalaya Palampur. After passing his second PU in 1992, he got admitted in D.A.V College in Chandigarh. While in college Capt Batra joined NCC and was awarded the best NCC Cadet (Air Wing) in the North Zone.

 

Right from his younger days, he was fearless and bold and ever-ready to offer help to anyone in need. His helping nature coupled with pleasing manners made him likable to anyone who came in contact with him. Besides being good in academics, he took keen interest in sports too and specially excelled in table tennis. While growing up he was greatly influenced by the inspirational stories of the “Param Vir Chakra” awardees. As a young boy he would watch the TV serial “Param Vir Chakra” regularly and thereafter often discuss in detail their stories of courage and gallantry with his brother. Though he got selected to join the Merchant Navy, he knew his calling and had made up his mind to follow his dream of donning the Army uniform.

 

Consequently he got through the Combined Defence Services Examination and got selected to join the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in 1994. He joined the Jessore Company of Manekshaw Battalion and was commissioned into 13 JAK Rifles, an infantry Regiment well known for its intrepid soldiers and numerous battle exploits.  After being commissioned, he got posted to Sopore in Baramulla district of J&K as his first assignment. By April 1999, his unit had completed its field tenure  and was preparing to move to its peace location. But the detection of large scale intrusion by the Pakistani forces in Kargil sector in early May 1999 changed the operational scenario and the unit’s move to its peace location was cancelled.

 

Kargil War : June-July 1999

 

As part of Op Vijay, then Lt Vikram Batra’s unit 13 JAK Rif got deployed in Drass area of Kargil in June 1999 under the operational command of 56 Infantry Brigade. After the capture of Tololing Top in Drass by 2 Raj Rif battalion, 13 JAK Rif was given the responsibility of capturing another militarily significant feature called Point 5140. This peak was one of the most treacherous and crucial peaks in Drass region and was heavily defended by the enemy forces. The Delta Company led by Lt Vikram Batra and Bravo Company led by Lt Sanjeev Singh Jamwal were assigned this task of capturing the Point 5140 in a daring night attack.

 

Preceded by heavy bombardment by Indian Artillery on enemy positions, the two companies began their movement towards the objective. The two companies were attacking from different directions to surprise the enemy however the climb was steeper in case of the Delta Company led by Lt Vikram Batra.  At a height of 17,000 feet, Lt Vikram Batra and his men planned to approach the hill from the rear, to achieve the crucial element of surprise. Against all odds, they ascended the rocky cliff but as they neared the top, the Pakistani defenders pinned them on the face of the cliff with machine gun fire. Undeterred by this, Lt Batra and five of his men climbed up and after reaching the top lobbed two grenades at the machine gun posts. Lt Batra alone killed three soldiers in close combat and despite being badly injured during the exchange, he regrouped his men and continued the mission.

 

Lt Batra’s courage inspired his men to fight valiantly and eventually the Point 5140 was captured. At 4:35 am on 20 Jun 1999, Lt Batra sent the radio message, “Chanakya …it’s Shershah reporting!! We’ve captured the post! Yeh Dil Maange More” , which later on became the catch-line for the Kargil War. The victory paved the way for a string of victories at Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak and ‘Three Pimples’.

 

After the capture of Point 5140, 13 JAK Rif was de-inducted from Drass to Ghumri to rest and move for the next operation. The battalion was then moved to Mushkoh valley and the next task assigned was the capture of Point 4875. Lt Batra had been promoted to the rank of Capt by then based on his earlier exploits in Drass. Capt Batra and his 25 men from Delta Company commenced the attack on the night of 06 July 1999. The plan was to reach the ridge, storm the enemy and occupy the post by the first light on 07 July. But unfortunately the evacuation of one of the officers, Capt Navin Nagappa, who had a badly injured leg, took some time and they were still short of the target by first light.

 

Just before the objective, there was a narrow ledge manned by the enemy soldiers and it was almost impossible to advance specially in daylight. However Capt Batra  decided that even though it was daylight he and his comrades would attempt a direct assault. In a rare show of extraordinary courage and daredevilry Capt Batra assaulted the ledge and took the enemy by surprise. However during the exchange of fire Capt Batra got injured but he continued his charge with support fire from rest of his men and reached the mouth of the ledge. Having got a foothold on the ledge as he was planning his next move, he noticed one of his young soldiers lying in a pool of blood few feet away. He decided to move the injured soldier to safety along with his JCO Sub Raghunath Singh. But as he tried to do so he was hit by a sniper fire in the chest. He breathed his last, uttering the words, “Durga Mata Ki Jai” meaning “Victory to Goddess Durga”, the battle-cry of his Regiment. Spurred by Capt Batra’s extreme courage and supreme sacrifice, his men attacked through the ledge and fighting like men possessed achieved the objective.

 

Capt Batra’s bravery, camaraderie and devotion to his duty were extraordinary and would find exalted place in the annals of our military history. Capt Vikram Batra was given the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” posthumously for his outstanding courage, steadfast resolve, leadership, and supreme sacrifice. Capt Vikram Batra is survived by his father Shri Girdhari Lal Batra, mother Smt Kamal Kanta and his twin brother Shri Vishal Batra.

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162 Comments
  • Kajal

    2024 at 4:45 pm Reply

    The Bravest of Brave, Shershah of our India, great son of Mother India, and our Hero will always be in our heart ,an inspiration for generations to come.
    Our Shershah’s supreme scarifice will always be remembered. Our soldiers are our real hero. May Durga Maa always Blessed our soldiers to fight against enemy soldiers and
    our Indian Army be always safe.

  • Mohammed zaid

    2024 at 4:48 pm Reply

    My role modal

  • Lavi Rathor

    2024 at 4:48 pm Reply

    It’s is very important to searching the name of Vikram batra because he is a noble man and real hero of our india . Indian army is a real heros only not for india he’s a real hero of our world bhot country not expected his country not run for army

  • Lavi Rathor

    2024 at 9:18 pm Reply

    It’s I’s very important to search Vikram batra story because he is a supper hero for our india . Indian army’s are real heros for india only not for india , he’s also real heros for all world.

  • MAHESH KUMAR GUHA

    2024 at 9:19 pm Reply

    JAI HIND TO THE HEAVENLY RESTING SOUL.
    WE ALL SHALL BE OBLIGED TO YOU SIR.

  • Vanita Singh

    2024 at 9:20 pm Reply

    My new commemorative musical tribute “The Ballad of Captain Vikram Batra, PVC” is now at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFLq361fVK0

  • Vanita Singh

    2024 at 9:20 pm Reply

    My ballad “Vikram Batra, PVC” commemorates the Kargil Braveheart–a hero for all time. Sharing the link at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVL4YozZfsI

  • VINAY GAUTAM

    2024 at 9:21 pm Reply

    वो लड़े ही कुछ इस कदर से थे गौतम की उनके हौसलों को परास्त ना कर पाया कोई
    सीमा-ए-हिंद पर उनकी उस शहादत का वो कर्ज़ आज तक भी नहीं उतारा कोई

  • Shreya Kanojiya

    2024 at 9:22 pm Reply

    Rest in power sir. Thank you for your sacrifice and commitment to the Indian army and to keep us safe and healthy. Because of you we are here and okay. I wish the best of the best for your loved ones. May they heal and have love, happiness and success along with them always and forever. I wish the best of the best for your brave and strong soul. You will be remembered forever. Jai hind

  • Pallavi

    2024 at 9:22 pm Reply

    No words to honour a man like him!
    Bharat Mata ke veer saput ko Pranam.
    Bharat Mata ki Jai!

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