Captain Vikram Batra

Captain Vikram Batra was an Officer in the Indian Army who was awarded the Param Veer Chakra, the highest award for valor for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War. He was selected to join Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in Jessore company of Manekshaw Battalion, and was commissioned in the Indian Army as a Lieutenant of the 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles at Sopore, in Jammu and Kashmir. He rose to the rank of Captain.

On June 1999, Captain Batra and his unit was sent to the Kargil sector as the war like situations emerged in that sector.  He was sent there with a mission to recapture the first peak of high importance Point 5140. Vikram Batra decided to lead his unit, 13 JAK Rifle from the rear as an element of surprise for the enemy. He and his unit ascended the rocky cliff but as they reached near the enemies, the enemy started firing on them on bare cliff which had no cover from firing. Regardless of constant firing, Captain Batra along with five other men of his unit was able to reach on the top of the cliff. As they reached the top, they hurled two grenades to the enemy machine gun post. Captain Batra, single-handedly, fought and defeated three enemy soldiers in close combat. He was seriously injured during this fight. Nevertheless, he regrouped his men and continued on his mission. Inspired by his courage and bravery, 13 JAK Rifles charged on the enemies and captured Point 5140 at 3:30 am on June 20th 1999. 13 JAK Rifles killed eight Pakistani soldiers and recovered a heavy machine gun. The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of successes, such as Point 5100, Point 4700 and Junction Peak. Captain Batra also led his men to recapture of Point 4750 and Point 4875.

He attained martyrdom when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack against Point 4875 in the early morning hours of 7 July 1999. ‘JAI MATA DI’ was his last words.

On 15th August 1999, he was awarded Param Veer Chakra for his bravery and leadership during the Kargil War. His father received the honor for his deceased son.

In the movie LOC Kargil, Abhishek Bachhan played the role of Captain Vikram Batra. Also, a Hall is made in his name at Service Selection Board Allahabad, called Vikram Batra Block.