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| Nation commemorates valour of indian soldiers in Kargil conflict (Point 4875 : unmatched gallantry) | | (Captain Vikram Batra, PVC (POSTHUMOUS)13 JAK RIFLES) | 
Drass (Ladakh), July 21, (Scoop News)-Point 4875, in the Drass sub sector was an important objective during the Kargil War as this complex, consisted of very high mountain features which dominated the area across the LOC and observed artillery fire could be directed on the enemy’s line of communications almost all the way up.
The main features in the Pt 4875 complex included Whale Back, Flat Top and Shivling. The task to recapture Point 4875 was given to 13 JAK RIFLES, the battalion that had distinguished itself at Point 5140 in the Drass sub-sector.
13 JAK RIFLES concentrated in Mashkoh valley by 0800 hours on July 1,1999. The Battalion began its planning and preparation for the battle that day itself. The troops were briefed and the battalion moved forward to the area of the fire base on the night of July 3 1999. It was decided to launch the assault on 04 July 1999. The H-Hour was fixed for 2100 hours.
The attack began with a Company under Major S V Bhaskar assaulting along the eastern slopes of point 4875 and a Company under Major Gurpreet Singh assaulting along the western slope of South Spur, with a view to eventually capturing Flat Top.
By 1300 hours on July 5,1999, 13 JAK RIFLES had ensured that Point 4875 and the adjacent Flat Top were back in Indian hands. However, holding on to these objectives, which the enemy too considered important, was as difficult as capturing them.Throughout the day, the troops were subjected to artillery shelling and MMG fire by the enemy.
Ammunition resupply was promptly arranged and additional reinforcements were sent under Major Vikas Vohra and Captain Vikram Batra. For his laudable leadership, sustained courage of the highest order in the face of the enemy and exemplary dedication to duty, Major S Vijay Bhaskar was awarded the Vir Chakra.
However, the enemy locality immediately to the north of Point 4875 would have to be evicted quickly since it was interfering with the success of own operations. Captain Vikram Batra volunteered to undertake this difficult task. At 0630 hours on July 7, 1999, this brave officer, who had become a household name with his “Yeh Dil Maange More” remark to a TV reporter after the capture of Point 5140 on June 20, 1999, now personally led an assault on Area Ledge.
He identified the most dominating and dangerous enemy sangar and pounced on it, firing from the hip with his AK-47. He killed all the intruders inside but suffered grievous injuries himself.
After successfully capturing the enemy locality, this gallant officer made the supreme sacRIFLESice in the service of the country. By 1600 hours, the last important objective on the Point 4875 complex had fallen to 13 JAK RIFLES and the gate to Mashkoh Valley had been prized open.
For its sterling contribution to the success of the Kargil campaign, the battalion was also awarded the Unit Citation by the COAS.
Another intrepid group of proud soldiers whose sustained enthusiasm and untiring devotion to duty made victory at Point 4875 and the adjacent mountain features possible was the officers, JCOs and Jawans, who faithfully served the guns of 8 Mountain Artillery Brigade.
The artillery played a vital role to pulverise each objective with devastating fire and reduced many Pakistani sangars to rubble. The incessant shelling and the casualties caused by it, broke the enemy’s will to fight. They had more than lived up to their regimental motto of “Sarvatra-Izzat o Iqbal” (Everywhere-with Honour and Glory). They were truly everywhere- no intruder could hope to escape the shells, bombs and rockets of the Indian Gunners.
Captain Vikram Batra was serving with 13 JAK RIFLES during Operation Vijay. On 07 July 1999 he volunteered to assault and recapture the area north of Point 4875 from where an enemy locality was interfering actively in the operations of 13 JAK RIFLES. The task involved an assault along a narrow ridge with sharp cuttings on either side to clear a heavily fortified feature.
Personally leading the assault Captain Batra engaged the enemy in a fierce hand to hand fight and killed five enemy soldiers at point blank range. During the assault he sustained grievous injuries. Despite his injuries. Captain Batra crawled towards the next enemy sangar and continued to hurl grenades and fire from his AK 47.
Despite stiff resistance from the enemy this gallant officer refused to yield ground. He was focused on only one direction of movement and that was forward. He rallied his men, pressed home the attack and finally succeeded in achieving what had seemed to be a militarily impossible task. Inspired by this extraordinary display of fearlessness and raw courage by their leader the troops fell upon the enemy with vengeance and vanquished him.
Earlier, on June 20, 1999, Captain Vikram Batra then leading ’D’ Company had displayed sterling leadership qualities by leading from the front to physically assault enemy positions on point 5140 in the Drass sub-sector. He had launched a daredevil assault on the enemy, who was well entrenched and armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons. Pouncing on the enemy, he personally killed four intruders in a hand to hand fight.
With victory at this feet and cries of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Durge Mata ki jai” resounding in his ears, this brave son of India made the supreme sacRIFLESice and wrote a new saga of courage that will further enrich the traditions of the Indian Army.
For his unparalleled feats of personal gallantry and fearlessness in the face of enemy, exceptional fighting spirit, exemplary junior leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Vikram Batra was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra India’s highest gallantry award.
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