PVC CAPTAIN VIKRAM BATRA

Captain Vikram Batra was born on 9th September 1974 in Ghuggar village near Palampur in Himachal Pradesh. He received his primary education from his mother, Smt Kamal Batra who was a teacher and later on, received his middle school education at the D.A.V Public School, Palampur. He completed his senior secondary education in Central School, Palampur and after passing his second PU in 1992, he got admitted in the D.A.V College in Chandigarh. While in college Capt Batra joined NCC and was awarded the best NCC Cadet (Air Wing) in the zone.

 

In 1996, he was selected to join the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in the Jessore Company of Manekshaw Battalion and was commissioned into 13 JAK Rifles. He was later promoted to the rank of Captain during the Kargil War of 1999.

 

Kargil War: July 1999

 

During the Kargil war, then Lt Batra of 13 JAK Rifles, and his Delta Company were ordered to recapture one of the most arduous and crucial peaks, peak 5140 on June 19. At a height of 17,000 feet, he and his men planned to approach the hill from the rear, so as to take his enemies by surprise. 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 charged two grenades at the machine gun posts. He alone killed three soldiers in close combat and despite being badly injured during the exchange, he regrouped his men and continued the mission.

 

After a long battle, many enemy soldiers were killed and 13 J&K Rifles won a decisive victory. His courage inspired his men to charge the enemy positions and on 20th June, they captured Point 5140. ‘Chanakya …it’s Shershah reporting!! We’ve captured the post! Yeh Dil Maange More!’ Captain Vikram Batra told his commanding officer after securing point 5140 , which later on became the catch-line for the Kargil War.

 

Capt Batra had led a successful operation on one of the most difficult and toughest campaigns in the mountains. The victory paved the way for a string of victories at Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak and Three Pimples. Capt Batra led his men to victory with the recapture of Point 4750 and Point 4875. The victory, later on, led to the fall of Tiger Hill and the Indian hold on the valley was strengthened. The entire nation celebrated the success and his men swore by him. General Ved Prakash Malik, the then Chief of the Army Staff, called to congratulate him. The victory was being screened and applauded on television screens all over the country. The photographs of him and his men striding the captured Pakistani gun at the base camp made it to every newspaper. They called him Sher Shah (Lion King) and he became the face of the Kargil War.

 

Nine days after the victory at Peak 5140, Capt Batra led his men on an urgent and dangerous mission to recapture peak 4875. The peak was treacherous at 16,000 feet and was having a climb gradient of 80 degrees. Moreover, the Pakistani troops sat above the peak and the intense fog further made the mission much more difficult. The enemy got wind of Capt Batra’s arrival. They knew who Sher Shah was and by now his military prowess had become the stuff of legend. Capt Batra and another young officer, Lt Anuj Nayyar, fought the enemy’s counter-attack ferociously. They cleared enemy bunkers, egged their men forward, engaged in hand-to-hand combat and forced the Pakistanis to retreat.

 

The mission was almost over when Capt Batra ran out of the bunker to rescue another junior officer who had injured his legs in an explosion. His father had reportedly said, “His Subedar begged him not to go and said he would go instead, but Vikram told him: ‘Tu baal-bacchedar hain, hat ja peeche’ (You have children, step aside). As he attempted to save the young lieutenant, a bullet pierced through his chest. He breathed his last, saying the words, “Durga Mata Ki Jai” meaning “Victory to Goddess Durga”, the battle-cry of his Regiment.

 

His bravery, patriotism, compassion for his men and devotion to his motherland were a few of the trademark qualities of this brave soldier who fearlessly gave his life for his country. He was given the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” posthumously for his outstanding courage, steadfast resolve, leadership, and supreme sacrifice. His saga of bravery is truly inspirational and he continues to be a ‘Sher Shah’, a title that will remain legendary in the military history of Kargil war.

source www.honorpoint.in

PVC MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY

Captain Manoj Pandey, belonged to Rudha village in Kamlapur tehsil of Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh. Son of Shri Gopi Chand Pandey and Smt Mohini Pandey,  Capt Manoj was the eldest child in the family and was educated at UP Sainik School, Lucknow and Rani Laxmi Bai Memorial Senior Secondary School. He had a keen interest in sports with boxing and bodybuilding in particular. Subsequently, he joined the National Defence Academy to realize his dream of donning the Army uniform as an officer. He joined the 90th course of NDA and got commissioned into 1/11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army, a unit known for its heroic exploits.

 

Prior to his selection, during his Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, the interviewer had asked him, “Why do you want to join the Army?” He had immediately replied, “I want to win the Param Vir Chakra.” True to his words, Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey did win the country’s highest gallantry award but unfortunately did not live to receive it in person. After commissioning, his first assignment was in the Kashmir valley and thereafter he was posted to Siachen. Whilst in Siachen he received orders to move to Batalik sector, where the first intrusions by the Pakistani forces were detected and the Army was preparing for a well-coordinated retaliatory action.

 

Kargil War: 03 July 1999

 

By early May 1999, Pakistani forces had intruded well across the LOC, in the Mushkoh, Drass, Kaksar, and Batalik sectors. The extent of penetration across the LOC varied from 4 to 8 kms in each sector. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the enemy forces, who were not in the visible range. The Indian forces had no option but to send up the soldiers for direct assaults which were slow and took a toll. One such mission was planned in the Batalik sector and 1/11 GR was assigned the task to take over Khalubar. The task was given to the ‘B’ company of 1/11 GR wherein Capt Manoj was commanding Platoon No 5. Earlier Capt Manoj was also part of the team which had captured Jaubar Top and established the first post there.

 

On the night of 2/3 July 1999, Capt Manoj along with his troops marched off for the Pahalwan Chowki located at a height of 19700 feet on his way to Khalubar. As the assault team moved ahead, it faced heavy and intense enemy fire from both sides of the hillock. Capt Manoj quickly moved his platoon to an advantageous position under intense enemy fire, sent one section to clear the enemy positions from the right and himself proceeded to clear the enemy positions from the left. Capt Manoj fearlessly charged ahead with the booming battle cry, “Jai Mahakali, Aayo Gorkhali” clearing two enemy bunkers. While clearing the third bunker a barrage of bullets hit him on the shoulder and legs. Undaunted and without caring for his grievous injuries, he continued to lead the assault on the fourth bunker and destroyed the same with a grenade. As he hit his target he himself got hit in the forehead with a bullet. Capt Manoj later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred at the age of 24  years.

 

The troops under the command of Capt Manoj gained control over six bunkers and killed eleven enemy soldiers besides getting a good stock of arms and ammunition including an air defense gun. Khalubar was eventually captured and Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey with his supreme sacrifice not set an example of unparalleled bravery but changed the course of Kargil war. Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey was given the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” for his outstanding courage, leadership and devotion to duty.

source www.honourpoint.in