As India today commemorates the 20 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the country pays tribute to the bravehearts who not only gave their blood but lives also in the victory against Pakistan in Kargil War. It is to be noted that on July 26, 1999 i.e. exactly 20 years ago, India not only emerged invictus in Kargil War against Pakistan but also witnessed the sacrifice of many soldiers who selflessly fought for the dignity of the country. The Kargil war was fought between India and Pakistan and took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LOC). In the war, the Indian Army lost over 500 jawans. Among 500 bravehearts, News Nation brings to you the five heroes of Kargil war.
Vikram Batra was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles at Sopore. But when the tension rose between India and Pakistan, he was immediately posted there. It was the daring capture of the crucial peak point 5140 during the war that brought Batra into the public attention. As the Captain and his Delta Company neared the peak, the Pakistan forces started firing from machine guns. However, under the Captain’s command, the troop managed to topple the enemy’s post. Captain Batra sustained severe injuries during the attack. He died on duty after being shot. The nation honoured him with the Param Vir Chakra.
It was July 7, 1999 when Captain Anuj Nayyar was martyred while battling for the nation. During the war, it was the Captain’s mission to secure Point 4875, known as Pimple 2. During the initial phase of the attack, the platoon sustained major injuries. He killed 9 Pakistani soldiers and successfully destroyed three medium machine gun bunkers. However, while clearing the fourth bunker, an enemy grenade fell directly on the Captain. Despite being injured at that time, Anuj fought bravely and lost his life at the battle ground after clearing the last bunker.
On July 3, 1999 during the advance to Khalubar as his platoon approached its final objective, it came under heavy and intense enemy fire from the surrounding heights. Captain Pandey was tasked to clear the interfering enemy positions to prevent his battalion from getting day lighted, being in a vulnerable position. He quickly moved his platoon to an advantageous position under intense enemy fire, sent one section to clear the enemy positions from the right and he proceeded to clear the enemy positions from the left. Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey was awarded the country's highest gallantry honour posthumously.
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar led a team with the aim of capturing Area Flat Top on the 4th of July, 1999. But once the troop reached on top, the enemy started firing from just 150 metres away. Kumar went ahead on his own and managed to kill three soldiers in hand combat. Unfortunately, he lost his life. His platoon, inspired by his act of bravery, captured Area Flat Top.
Yogendra Singh Yadav was instrumental in capturing three bunkers on Tiger Hill. It was Yadav who took on the task of fixing the rope for soldiers to reach the top of the cliff, situated at a height of 16,500 feet. Even though he was repeatedly fired upon by machine guns and sustained wounds, he kept on and arrived at the top to kill four Pakistani soldiers and neutralise fire. He was awarded the highest military award of India, Param Vir Chakra for his bravery for his 4 July 1999 action during the Kargil War.
