Dateline Kargil-7  

 

Every war is won when battles are won one-by-one. It is in the victory in these battles that the seeds of victory in war are planted. These seeds often are nourished by the sweat, blood, and sacrifice of the brave soldiers. Kargil war of 1999, too, had its share of such battles and sacrifices. In fact, as the military historians say, Kargil war of 1999 saw the highest number of young officers leading from the front, and also bearing the brunt. In the thick of war, they displayed the rare raw courage and the highest level of motivation to achieve the goals. The young officers got transformed into the leaders in action, and the soldiers became the heroes.

 

There are umpteen number of tales. As per the records, 559 men made the supreme sacrifice during ‘Operation Vijay’ in 1999 in the icy heights of the Kargil in Ladakh region. So, there are 559 tales that could be told. During the war, four were awarded the highest gallantry medal -- Param Vir Chakra (PVC), ---- were awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, ---- Shourya Chakra, --- Ashok Chakra, --- VSM SM etc...

 

‘The Hitavada’ retells the tales of four PVCs namely Capt Vikram Batra, Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, and Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav. Of these four bravehearts, Capt Vikram Batra and Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey got the PVC posthumously for their conspicuous acts of courage and bravery. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar and Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav are still alive, and inspiring the people. ‘The Hitavada’ retells their stories, and constructs their ‘Profiles in Courage’.

 

 

BORN on September 9, 1974, Vikram Batra from Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, joined the Indian Army on December 6, 1997 in the 13 Jammu and Kashmir (JAK) Rifles regiment. Little did he know that within two years of joining the Indian Army, he would be in the middle of a war in the high altitude. During ‘Operation Vijay’ in 1999 to flush out the Pakistani intruders, the Indian Army started winning one after the other battle on the strength of the young officers leading ably the men in their command. In Drass sub-sector, the enemy held strong fortified positions, reinforced with automatic weapons. On June 20, Captain Vikram Batra, who was Commander of Delta Company, was tasked to attack Point 5140. With his company, he skirted around the position from the east, maintained surprise, and reached within the assaulting distance. Displaing sterling leadership qualities, he organised his column, and leading from the front,physically assaulted the enemy positions. Exhibiting daredevilry, he pounced on the enemy like a tiger and killed four intruders in hand-to hand fight. It was here that Capt Vikram Batra gave his iconic success signal ‘Yeh Dil Maange More...’ Soon came another important task. On July 7, 1999, Capt Batra’s company was tasked to clear a narrow feature with sharp cuttings on either sides leading up to Point 4875 and Area Ledge.

 

The enemy defences were heavilyfortified.As faras military significance of this feature is concerned,Point4875 is part of the Tiger Hill complex, and the most important feature in Mashkoh subsector.The feature dominates National Highway-1A from Mughalpura to Drass, which is a stretchof around30 kms. A feature ‘Rocky Knob’ links Point 4875 with Tiger Hill. By 1 pm on July 5, 13 JAK Rifles had captured Point 4875 Top and Flat Top feature, Pakistani intruders still held Area Ledge, which was fortified with two bunkers from where the enemy did effective firing on Point4875. The approach to the bunker was along an arrow ridge that was only one meter wide and 10 meters long. In the cover of darkness, around 3.30 am on July 7, the troops led by Capt Vikram Batra moved for attack through near vertical climb. But, the enemy spotted the movement and opened fire, which held up the advance of the Indian forces.Bynow,there was day light.

 

The situation would have become more difficult. So, Capt Vikram Batra led the attack from the front. In a fierce hand-to-hand fight, he killed five enemy soldiers atpoint-blankrange.Despite grievous injuries, he crawled towards the enemy bunker, lobbed grenades into it, and silenced the enemy gun. He rallied his men and succeeded in achieving what was a militarily impossible task. Inspired by his extraordinary fearlessness and raw courage, the troops overwhelmed the enemy and captured the position. The Ledge was cleared of the enemy by 12 noon on July 7. For this daredevil act, the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award was awarded post humously to Capt Vikram Batra. As the citation reads, “Captain Vikram Batra displayed the most conspicuous personal bravery and junior leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Army”. For the raw courage, he is fondly referred to as ‘Shershah’. (To be continued)