Captain Vikram Batra, born into a middle-class family in Ghuggar village near Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, became a celebrated hero of the Indian Army. His journey from a small village to becoming a Kargil War hero is a tale of determination, courage, and leadership.
Captain Batra, nicknamed Sher Shah by his friends, was a man of many talents. He was a green belt in karate and played table tennis at the national level. In college, he was awarded the best NCC cadet (Air Wing) of Punjab Directorate, North Zone. His dream of joining the Indian Army came true in 1996 when he joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. He was part of the Jessore Company of the Manekshaw Battalion and was commissioned into the 13 JAK Rifles.
During the Kargil War, Captain Batra's bravery came to the forefront. On June 19, his Delta Company was ordered to recapture Peak 5140, a crucial position held by Pakistani soldiers. Despite the enemy's advantage, Batra and his men successfully climbed the hill and claimed victory.
In a subsequent mission, Batra's unit was tasked with capturing Point 4875, an eighty-degree steep peak at 17,000 feet. On the night of July 7, despite adverse weather conditions, Captain Batra and his men advanced. During the mission, he was severely wounded while rescuing another officer but continued to fight. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries, but his bravery led to India's capture of Point 4875 on July 8, 1999.
Captain Vikram Batra was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour, for his gallantry.
