Remembering the Kargil war hero, Indians have been paying tribute to the Kargil Martyr and Param Vir Chakra recipient, Captain Vikram Batra on his birth anniversary.
Captain Batra was born in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. He was quite popular and brilliant in his school. He was best at studies, sports and was an active participant in all extracurricular activities.
Captain Batra was best NCC cadet of north India, he was also a green belt holder in karate and played table tennis at national level.
Vikram started to prepare for Combined Defense Services (CDS) examination after completing his Bachelor’s degree in 1995. Because he was deeply patriotic and keen to join the Army.
In 1996, he cleared CDS examination and joined the Indian Military Academy. He was commissioned as a lieutenant. His first posting was in the town of Sapore in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
He started his military life on December 6, 1997, with the 13th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles of Indian Army.
Captain Batra was posted in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh when he was summoned to join the troops in Dras sector of Jammu and Kashmir during Kargil war.
Born on September 9, 1974, Batra, also remembered fondly as the Shershah of Kargil was martyred on July 7, 1999. Prior to that, in June 1999, the 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles officer and his Delta Company were tasked to recapture a crucial peak- Point 5140.
According to the official records of the Indian Army, Batra single-handedly killed three Pakistani soldiers in close combat while leading his troops from the front.
Due to his exemplary feat, Captain Vikram Batra was awarded Paramveer Chakra, India’s highest military award. His bravery and determination had set a standard for everyone fighting the war.
