Captain Vikram Batra PVC
Service No: IC-57556H
Date of Birth: Sep 9,1974
Birth Place: Palampur, (HP)
Service: Army
Last Rank: Captain
Service Years: 1996 – 1999
Unit: 13 JAK Rif
Arm/Regt: The J & K Rifles
Operation: Op Vijay
Awards: Param Vir Chakra
Date of Martyrdom : Jul 7, 1999
Captain Vikram Batra PVC was born on 9th September 1974 and hailed from Bandla Gaon in the Palampur district of Himachal Pradesh. Son of Shri Girdhari Lal Batra and Smt Kamal Kanta, Capt Vikram Batra received his primary education from D.A.V Public School, Palampur, and then completed his senior secondary education from Kendriya Vidyalaya Palampur. After passing his second PU in 1992, he got admitted to D.A.V College in Chandigarh. While in college Capt Batra joined NCC and was awarded the best NCC Cadet (Air Wing) in the North Zone.
Captain Vikram Batra PVC: Right from his younger days, he was fearless and bold and ever-ready to offer help to anyone in need. His helping nature coupled with pleasing manners made him likable to anyone who came in contact with him. Besides being good in academics, he took a keen interest in sports too and especially excelled in table tennis. While growing up he was greatly influenced by the inspirational stories of the “Param Vir Chakra” awardees. As a young boy, he would watch the TV serial “Param Vir Chakra” regularly and thereafter often discuss in detail their stories of courage and gallantry with his brother. Though he got selected to join the Merchant Navy, he knew his calling and had made up his mind to follow his dream of donning the Army uniform.
Captain Vikram Batra PVC: Consequently, he got through the Combined Defence Services Examination and got selected to join the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in 1994. He joined the Jessore Company of Manekshaw Battalion and was commissioned into 13 JAK Rifles, an infantry Regiment well known for its intrepid soldiers and numerous battle exploits. After being commissioned, he got posted to Sopore in the Baramulla district of J&K as his first assignment. By April 1999, his unit had completed its field tenure and was preparing to move to its peaceful location. But the detection of large-scale intrusion by the Pakistani forces in the Kargil sector in early May 1999 changed the operational scenario and the unit’s move to its peace location was canceled.
Kargil War: June-July 1999
Captain Vikram Batra PVC: As part of Op Vijay, then Lt Vikram Batra’s unit 13 JAK Rif got deployed in the Drass area of Kargil in June 1999 under the operational command of 56 Infantry Brigade. After the capture of Tololing Top in Drass by 2 Raj Rif battalion, 13 JAK Rif was given the responsibility of capturing another militarily significant feature called Point 5140. This peak was one of the most treacherous and crucial peaks in the Drass region and was heavily defended by the enemy forces. The Delta Company led by Lt Vikram Batra and the Bravo Company led by Lt Sanjeev Singh Jamwal were assigned the task of capturing Point 5140 in a daring night attack.
Captain Vikram Batra PVC: Preceded by heavy bombardment by Indian Artillery on enemy positions, the two companies began their movement towards the objective. The two companies were attacking from different directions to surprise the enemy however the climb was steeper in the case of the Delta Company led by Lt Vikram Batra. At a height of 17,000 feet, Lt Vikram Batra and his men planned to approach the hill from the rear, to achieve the crucial element of surprise. Against all odds, 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 lobbed two grenades at the machine-gun posts. Lt Batra alone killed three soldiers in close combat and despite being badly injured during the exchange, he regrouped his men and continued the mission.
Captain Vikram Batra PVC: courage inspired his men to fight valiantly and eventually Point 5140 was captured. At 4:35 am on 20 Jun 1999, Lt Batra sent the radio message, “Chanakya …it’s Shershah reporting!! We’ve captured the post! Yeh Dil Maange More”, which later on became the catch-line for the Kargil War. The victory paved the way for a string of victories at Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak, and ‘Three Pimples’.
Captain Vikram Batra PVC – After the capture of Point 5140, 13 JAK Rif was de-inducted from Drass to Ghumri to rest and move for the next operation. The battalion was then moved to Mushkoh valley and the next task assigned was the capture of Point 4875. Lt Batra had been promoted to the rank of Capt by then based on his earlier exploits in Drass. Capt Batra and his 25 men from Delta Company commenced the attack on the night of 06 July 1999. The plan was to reach the ridge, storm the enemy and occupy the post by the first light on 07 July. But unfortunately, the evacuation of one of the officers, Capt Navin Nagappa, who had a badly injured leg, took some time and they were still short of the target by first light.
Captain Vikram Batra PVC – Just before the objective, there was a narrow ledge manned by the enemy soldiers and it was almost impossible to advance especially in daylight. However, Capt Batra decided that even though it was daylight he and his comrades would attempt a direct assault. In a rare show of extraordinary courage and daredevilry, Capt Batra assaulted the ledge and took the enemy by surprise. However, during the exchange of fire Capt Batra got injured but he continued his charge with support fire from the rest of his men and reached the mouth of the ledge. Having got a foothold on the ledge as he was planning his next move, he noticed one of his young soldiers lying in a pool of blood a few feet away. He decided to move the injured soldier to safety along with his JCO Sub Raghunath Singh. But as he tried to do so he was hit by sniper fire in the chest. He breathed his last, uttering the words, “Durga Mata Ki Jai” meaning “Victory to Goddess Durga”, the battle-cry of his Regiment. Spurred by Capt Batra’s extreme courage and supreme sacrifice, his men attacked through the ledge and fought like men possessed to achieve the objective. Captain Vikram Batra PVC
Captain Vikram Batra PVC’s bravery, camaraderie, and devotion to his duty were extraordinary and would find an exalted place in the annals of our military history. Capt Vikram Batra was given the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” posthumously for his outstanding courage, steadfast resolve, leadership, and supreme sacrifice. Capt Vikram Batra is survived by his father Shri Girdhari Lal Batra, his mother Smt Kamal Kanta, and his twin brother Shri Vishal Batra.
We offer excellent preparatory training for the entrance examinations to get into the Indian armed forces.
Since our inception 7 years ago, under the captaincy of one of India’s leading youngest entrepreneurs – Mr. Gulab Singh. Hundreds of our candidates have been selected and many of whom have attained top ranks in the final UPSC merit.
- The institute has highly qualified and reputed team instructors each fully devoted to providing an unparalleled education for NDA/CDS/SSB/AFCAT/CAPF.
- The task of teaching transcends the classrooms so as to guide the students to realize their highest potential, and to encourage them to optimize the results.
- Involvement and excellence in extracurricular activities like SSB guidance, personality development, debates, team games, lecture, etc feature in the training.
- Our aim at the academy is to make the students imbibe discipline and groom moral and ethical values. Come, be a part of this success story and fulfill your desire for joining the reputed Indian Armed forces and serving the nation.
Best NDA Academy in Lucknow | Join WDA Lucknow – Warriors Defence Academy deeply appreciative and offer you our most grateful welcome. We are happy to Announce that Ex. GTO Officer Colonel R. K. Tiwari Sir going to Join our Academy to Guide NDA and CDS aspirants For SSB. WDA is the Best NDA and SSB Coaching in Lucknow India.
Warriors Defence Academy is the Best NDA Coaching in Lucknow. We are the Leading Coaching Institute for NDA/CDS/AFCAT/Army/Air Force/Navy Located in Lucknow. Warriors Defence Academy has the Largest GTO Ground in India. The Aspirants of Defence Services are guided by Ex. Defence Officers. WDA was also Awarded as Best NDA Academy in Lucknow.
Address: 545-GA/1-CHHA, Chandganj Garden Road, beside Madhuwan Guest house, near Railway crossing, Kapoorthla, Bara Chandganj, Chandralok, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226006
Website: https://warriorsdefenceacademy.com/
Website: https://www.warriorsndaacademy.com/
Call Now: 07081011964