One in a billion: Captain Vikram Batra (Sher Shah)

7 July

Needless to say the legend MS Dhoni was born on this day. And also, the 21st death anniversary of the Kargil war hero, let us remember the brave heart of India, Captain Vikram Batra. I'm sure MS Dhoni remembers this, he's also a soldier. 

• Captain Batra sacrificed his life for the nation in the Kargil war of 1999.

• He was born on September 9, 1974, in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh.

• His military career started from 6 December, 1997 with Indian Army’s 13th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

• During the Kargil war, his responsibility included the capturing of Tololing mountain range and Pt 4875. The fight for Tiger hill was considered the fiercest battle in the Kargil war.

• He went to capture Peak 5140, where he even engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy soldiers and was leading the front.

• He and his men planned to approach the hill from the rear, so as to take the enemies by surprise. They ascended the rocky cliff but as they neared the top, the Pakistani intruders pinned them on the face of the cliff with machine gunfire. Undeterred by this, Captain Batra and five of his men climbed up and on reaching the top hurled two grenades at the machine gun positions. He single-handedly 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 his unit won a decisive victory. His courage inspired his men to charge the enemy positions and on 20 June 1999, they captured Point 5140.

• After securing Point 5140 (Tiger Hill), Captain Batra told his Commanding Officer, ‘Chanakya…it’s Shershah reporting!! We’ve captured the post! Yeh Dil Maange More!’

• While capturing Point 4875, his company was tasked to clear a narrow feature with sharp cuttings on either side and heavily fortified enemy defences that covered the only approach to it. For speedy operation, Captain Batra assaulted the enemy position along a narrow ridge and engaged the enemy in a fierce hand-to-hand fight killing five enemy soldiers at point-blank range. Despite sustaining grave injuries, he crawled towards the enemy and hurled grenades clearing the position with utter disregard to his personal safety. Leading from the front, he rallied his men and pressed on the attack and achieved a near-impossible military task in the face of heavy enemy fire. The officer, while doing so, sustained bullet injuries and ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Inspired by his daredevil act, his troops fell upon the enemy with vengeance, annihilated them and captured Point 4875. (Source: indianarmy.nic.in)

• During the rescue attempt, Vikram Batra pushed aside his Subedar, saying “Tu baal-bacchedar hai, hat ja peeche.”(You have children, step aside) and was killed in action while clearing enemy positions. His last words were, “Jai Mata Di!“

• For his excellent courage, love for the country, and fearlessness he was awarded India's highest military decoration, Param Vir Chakra.

• His award citation read, “Captain Vikram Batra displayed the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army."

• For his extraordinary determination and capabilities, he got the title of ‘Sher Shah’.

Jai Hind!

Cheers...