47 Facts About Vikram Batra

Vikram Batra was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest Indian military decoration, for his actions during the Kargil War; on 7 July 1999, Batra was killed while fighting Pakistani troops around Area Ledge, Point 4875, in the Kargil district of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir.

Vikram Batra was the third child of Girdhari Lal Batra, a government school principal, and Kamal Kanta Batra, a school teacher.

Vikram Batra was the elder of twin sons, born fourteen minutes before his brother, Vishal.

Vikram Batra received his senior secondary education at Central School in Palampur.

Besides his academic endeavours, Vikram Batra dabbled in a variety of sports at his school, which he represented at the national level during the Youth Parliamentary competitions in Delhi.

Vikram Batra represented his school and college in table tennis, Karate and other such sports.

Vikram Batra was a green belt holder in Karate and went on to attend a national level camp in Manali.

Vikram Batra was selected and underwent a 40-day paratrooping training with his NCC Air Wing unit at Pinjore Airfield and Flying Club, about 35 kilometres away from Chandigarh.

Vikram Batra's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Indian Army.

Vikram Batra attended evening classes at the University and worked part-time in the morning as a branch manager of a travelling agency in Chandigarh.

Vikram Batra was among the top 35 candidates in the Order of Merit.

Vikram Batra joined the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, in June 1996 in the Manekshaw Battalion.

Vikram Batra was commissioned into the 13th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

In one of those encounters when Vikram Batra was leading an ambush with his platoon into an area of dense forest, he escaped when bullet fired by a militant grazed his shoulder and struck one of Vikram Batra's men behind him, who was killed.

Vikram Batra ordered his men to fire on the militants, and by morning all of the militants were killed.

Vikram Batra believed that the bullet was meant for him and not his colleague.

In January 1999, Vikram Batra was sent on a Commando Course at Belgaum, Karnataka.

Vikram Batra last came home on leave from the army in 1999, during the Holi festival for a few days.

Vikram Batra informed his parents about his movement and assured them they need not worry about him.

Vikram Batra would call his parents at least once in ten days.

At the Hump Complex, the two officers, Jamwal and Vikram Batra, received their briefing about the mission from Joshi.

Vikram Batra decided to approach the hill from the rear, aiming to surprise the enemy, and to cut off their withdrawal route.

Vikram Batra fired three rockets towards the bunkers on the east side of the feature, before attacking them.

Vikram Batra then killed three enemy soldiers single-handedly in close combat.

Vikram Batra was seriously injured in the process, but insisted on regrouping his men to continue with the mission.

Vikram Batra continued to lead his troops, and then charged at the next enemy position, capturing Point 5140.

The next assignment for Vikram Batra's battalion was to capture the Point 4875, a strategically important peak located in the Mushkoh Valley.

Captain Vikram Batra was lying in a sleeping bag near the Mushkoh nullah, and was down with fever and fatigue.

Vikram Batra's commanding officer had ordered him to rest even though his battalion, 13 JAK Rifles, had launched its attack on Point 4875.

Vikram Batra had a small force but he fought ferociously to beat back the offensive.

Vikram Batra, who was observing the situation from base, went to his commanding officer and volunteered.

Vikram Batra, who was still recovering from his own wounds he received in the battle of Point 5140, wanted to reach the top to rescue his fellow soldiers and carry out reconnaissance of the ledge where the enemy soldiers were.

En route to the top, Vikram Batra spotted a Pakistani machine gun position firing at the trapped Indian soldiers.

Joshi spoke to Vikram Batra and asked him to reconnoitre the area.

Vikram Batra, accompanied by Subedar Raghunath Singh and Major Bhat, his artillery observation officer, took out a patrol to recce a route to re-inforce Naveen from a flank.

Vikram Batra located the position of the enemy sangar on the ledge from which enemy machine guns were holding up the advance of his company.

At this juncture, Vikram Batra, realizing there was no way from the left or right, decided to make a direct assault in daylight itself.

Vikram Batra sustained grievous injuries in the process, yet he continued his charge, with supporting fire from the rest of the patrol, and upon reaching the very narrow entrance of the sangar and taking the enemy by complete surprise, he killed 5 Pakistani soldiers in a close-quarter battle.

Vikram Batra charged forward alone, killing all four members of the crew.

Vikram Batra resolved to evacuate him with Subedar Raghunath Singh.

Vikram Batra exposed himself to enemy fire to drag the injured soldier to safety, and in the process was shot in the chest by an enemy sniper from very close range, and a split-second later, by a splinter from an RPG which hit him in the head.

Vikram Batra collapsed next to the injured soldier, succumbing to the fatal wounds.

Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour on 15 August 1999, the 52nd anniversary of India's independence.

Captain Vikram Batra reorganized his column and motivated his men to physically assault the enemy positions.

Captain Vikram Batra, thus, displayed the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Vikram Batra is known for an interview in which he stated that Pakistani soldiers were aware of him.

Vikram Batra was honoured with several landmarks being named after him: the historic capture of Point 4875 led to the mountain being named Batra Top in his honour.