“या तो तिरंगा लहराके आऊँगा या तिरंगे में लिपटके आऊँगा, लेकिन आऊँगा वापस ज़रूर”
Captain Vikram Batra after capturing point 5140. He led a brilliant operation in one of India's toughest campaigns in mountain warfare. Gen VP Malik, then the COAS, called to congratulate him.+
Captain Vikram Batra after capturing point 5140. He led a brilliant operation in one of India's toughest campaigns in mountain warfare. Gen VP Malik, then the COAS, called to congratulate him.+
His triumph was being beamed from television screens across the country. The most amazing part of this attack was that there was no casualty on the Indian side.After all the valiant ordeals, Capt Vikram Batra craved for more such dare devilish actions & bringing home accolades.+
More was yet to come! Soon, 13 JAK Rifles was de-inducted from Dras sector and sent for operations in the Mushkoh valley for the capture of Point 4875. Having proved their worth and valour, Vikram’s team was given the task to clear a narrow feature with steep sides,+
heavily guarded by the enemy. With the previous victory still fresh in mind, the enthused team intelligently engaged themselves in an effective combat but the heavy firing started to take its toll. Unwavered, Vikram kept attacking the enemy head on, killing five of them at point+
blank range. The early morning hours of sub-zero temperatures could not dampen the spirit of this brave soldier.
Capt Batra, all charged up roared his battle cry ‘Jai Mata Di!’, attacked the enemy with full vigour, refusing to be stopped.+
Capt Batra, all charged up roared his battle cry ‘Jai Mata Di!’, attacked the enemy with full vigour, refusing to be stopped.+
It was while evacuating an injured soldier that he was shot at, fatally. He shifted aside his fellow soldier, saying, “Tu bal-bachchedar hai, hat ja peeche!” (You have children, get aside), and stood up to face the enemies. A shell ripped through his mid waist and he collapsed+
with the words ‘Jai Mata Di!’ on his lips. Capt Vikram Batra’s sacrifice & heroic act prompted his company to advance further and capture the Ledge, which in turn enabled his battalion to regain its hold on Point 4875.+
For his gallant act, unmatched bravery and endurance, the Government of India honoured him with the country’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra and renamed Point 4875 as ‘Capt Vikram Batra Top.’+
In order to commemorate his sacrifice and spirit of camaraderie, the Indian Army has named various significant buildings and cantonments after him. A hall at Service Selection Centre, Allahabad has been named ‘Vikram Batra Block’, a residential area in the Jabalpur Cantonment+
is called ‘Capt Vikram Batra Enclave’ and the combined cadets’ mess at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun is named as ‘Vikram Batra Mess’, to name a few of them.
During his last visit home, when one of his friends cautioned him to be careful in the war, he replied, “I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I’ll come for sure.” The life & deeds will always inspire successive generations.
During his last visit home, when one of his friends cautioned him to be careful in the war, he replied, “I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I’ll come for sure.” The life & deeds will always inspire successive generations.
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