Sepoy Virander Kumar

Sepoy Virander Kumar, a native of Mohna village in Faridabad, Haryana, was born to Smt Lila Devi. Raised in a close knit family, he grew up with strong values of discipline, hard work, and a deep sense of duty. Inspired by the legacy of brave soldiers from his region, he aspired from a young age to serve his nation. This aspiration led him to join the Indian Army, where he proudly became a member of the 17th Jat Battalion of the Jat Regiment.

The Jat Regiment, renowned for its illustrious history and fearless soldiers, gave Sep Virander Kumar the platform to pursue his dream. Through rigorous training, he honed the qualities of a true soldier—discipline, resilience, and teamwork. As part of the 17th Jat Battalion, he upheld the regiment’s rich traditions with unwavering dedication. His commitment to duty, loyalty to his comrades, and pride in serving his country distinguished him as a soldier of exceptional caliber, contributing to the regiment’s enduring legacy of courage and service.

Battle of Point 4875 (Kargil War): 04-08 July 1999

In 1999, during the Kargil War, Sepoy Virander Kumar served with the 17 Jat Battalion, which was deployed along the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir. That year, the Indian Army discovered a large-scale infiltration by Pakistani military and paramilitary forces in the Kargil region, prompting an urgent need to reclaim the occupied territories. As part of the swift military response, Sepoy Virander Kumar's battalion, under the command of Colonel U.S. Bawa, was inducted into the strategically crucial Mushkoh Valley on May 22, 1999. The battalion operated under the 79 Mountain Brigade, led by Brigadier R.K. Kakar, and the 8 Mountain Division, commanded by Major General Mohinder Puri. By late June 1999, the Indian Army had secured key positions such as Point 5140 and Point 4700. However, Point 4875 became a critical objective due to its strategic importance over a 30-kilometer stretch of the National Highway between Mugalpur and Drass. The feature, linked to Tiger Hill via the "Rocky Knob," was vital for disrupting enemy supply lines and forcing their withdrawal from the Mushkoh Valley. To achieve this, the 79 Mountain Brigade devised a comprehensive operation involving multiple units, including the 17 Jat Battalion, 13 JAK Rifles, 2 Naga, 12 Mahar, 21 Para (Special Forces), and artillery support. Point 4875 included key features such as Whale Back, Pimple I, Pimple II, Southern Slope, Flat Top, Twin Bumps, and Saddle. The operation commenced on July 4, 1999, and was planned in two phases.

In the first phase, the 17 Jat Battalion was tasked with capturing Whale Back and Pimple I from the south by the morning of July 5, while the 13 JAK Rifles aimed to secure South Spur and the summit of Point 4875. Simultaneously, 21 Para (Special Forces) was to block Safaid Nala, and 12 Mahar was tasked with establishing a base at Point 4540 and Tekri. Despite heavy resistance, the A and D Companies of the 17 Jat Battalion, led by Major R.K. Singh and Major Deepak Rampal, successfully captured Whale Back and Pimple I by the morning of July 5. During the assault, Sepoy Virander Kumar sustained critical injuries. Even in his final moments, he fought valiantly, ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty on 06 July 1999. Simultaneously, 13 JAK Rifles secured South Spur, Flat Top, and eventually the peak of Point 4875 by midday. The enemy continued to resist from fortified positions, prompting the launch of Phase II. On the night of July 6, Charlie Company of 17 Jat, led by Major Ritesh Sharma, attacked Pimple II from Whale Back. When Major Sharma was injured, Captain Anuj Nayyar assumed command. Despite formidable terrain and intense enemy fire, Captain Nayyar and his men destroyed four enemy bunkers with exceptional bravery and tactical skill. 

The successful capture of the Pimple Complex, including Pimple II, was a turning point in the Kargil War. It paved the way for the eventual recapture of Tiger Hill and dealt a significant blow to enemy forces, forcing them to retreat. However, the victory came at a great cost, with the loss of many brave soldiers, including Captain Anuj Nayyar and 27 others, the other martyred soldiers are Hav Bhagwan Singh, Hav Kumar Singh, Hav Hari Om, Hav Mahavir Singh, Nk Balwan Singh, Nk Krishan Lal, Nk Rishipal Singh, Nk Ram Swaroop Singh, L Nk Rajesh, L Nk Ramvir Singh, L Nk Vijay Singh, L Nk Rajbir, Sep Raj Singh, Sep Karan Singh, Sep Kalu Ram Jakhar, Sep Kanchi Singh, Sep Satyvir Singh, Sep Surender, Sep Anil Kumar, Sep Hawa Singh, Sep Jitendra Singh, Sep Naresh Kumar, Sep Shish Ram, Sep Syodana Ram. L Nk Rajendra Singh & Sep Dharamvir Singh were martyred on 8th Jul 1999, whereas Nk Shyam Bir Singh succumbed to his injuries on 9th Jul 1999. Sep Virander Kumar was a gallant and determined soldier, who laid down his life in the line of his duty.