Vikram Batra Biography: Captain Vikram Batra, who was born into a middle-class family, attained early success in the Indian Army through his determination, courage, and leadership. The Kargil War hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation was from the Himachal Pradesh village of Ghuggar, close to Palampur.
This gallant son was lost on July 7, 1999, during the Kargil conflict. After his supreme sacrifice, Captain Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest honour for valour.
Vikram Batra Biography
Birth, Family, and Education: Captain Vikram Batra
Captain Vikram Batra was born in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, on September 9, 1974, to Girdhari Lal Batra (Father) and Kamal Kanta Batra (Mother). His father, Girdhari Lal Batra, was the principal of a government school, while his mother was a teacher.
Captain Vikram Batra attended Palanpur’s DAV Public School. Then, he gained admission to Central School to pursue his senior secondary education. In 1990, he and his brother represented their school at the All India KVS Nationals for table tennis.
Captain Vikram Batra held a green belt in Karate and participated in the sport at the Manali national camp.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences from DAV College. During his college years, Captain Vikram Batra joined the Air Wing of the NCC. In the Inter-State NCC Camp, he was recognised as the top Air Wing recruit from the Punjab Directorate in the North Zone.
The NCC Air Wing unit of Captain Vikram Batra was nominated for a 40-day training at Pinjore Airfield and Flying Club.
Captain Vikram Batra earned the ‘C’ certificate and was promoted to the rank of captain in NCC.
In 1994, as an NCC cadet, he participated in the Republic Day parade and the next day informed his parents of his intent to join the Indian Army. During his college years in 1995, he was offered a position in the merchant navy with a Hong Kong-based shipping corporation, but he declined.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1995 from DAV College, Chandigarh, he matriculated at Panjab University, Chandigarh, to pursue a master’s degree in English. He chose the topic in order to prepare for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS).
He attended classes there in the evenings while working as a branch manager for a travel agency in Chandigarh during the day.
In 1996, he took and passed the CDS Exam and was subsequently chosen by the Services Selection Board (SSB) in Allahabad. He was designated as one of the top 35 candidates. He leaves college to enrol at the Indian Military Academy (IMA).
Capt. Vikram Batra’s Military Profession
Captain Vikram Batra entered the Manekshaw Battalion of the IMA in June 1996. On December 6, 1997, after 19 months of training, he matriculated from the IMA. Then, he was made a lieutenant in the 13th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. He was sent to Jabalpur and Madhya Pradesh for a month of additional training.
He was assigned to Sopore in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir following his training. The region was rife with militant activity. In March of 1998, he was sent to an Infantry School in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh for five months to complete the Young Officer’s Course. After completing the course, he was conferred the alpha rating and returned to his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir.
In January 1999, he was sent to Belgaum, Karnataka, to complete a two-month Commando Course. He was awarded the highest grade, Instructor’s Grade, upon completion.
Prior to his death during the Kargil War, he visited his family during the 1999 Holi festival while on leave from the Army. He frequently frequented Neugal Cafe when he visited his birthplace. Again, he went to the cafe and met his closest friend and fiancée, Dimple Cheema. Dimple asked him to be careful during the conflict, to which he responded, “I’ll either return with the Indian flag raised in victory or wrapped in it.” But I will definitely return.’
Captain Vikram Batra on the Kargil War and His Sacrifice
After the 13 JAK RIF battalion arrived in Dras on June 6, it was placed under the command of the 56 Mountain Brigade and given orders to serve as reserves for the 2nd battalion of Rajputana Rifles(2 RAJ RIF) during the assault on Tololing mountain.
The 18 Grenadiers were assigned the mission to capture mountain Tololing. The battalion attacked the mountain on May 22, but despite four attempts, they were unsuccessful and suffered significant losses. In response, the Rajputana Rifles were tasked with capturing the mountain’s summit, which they accomplished on June 13, 1999. 13 JAK RIF seized control of Tololing mountain and a portion of the Hump Complex from 18 Grenadiers following a successful capture.
The acquisition of Point 5140
This point overlooks the Tololing nullah and is the highest peak on the Tololing range at an altitude of 5,100 metres (16,962 feet) above sea level. Between Tololing mountain and point 5140 is the Hump Complex, which consists of ten grounds numbered I through X, plus Rocky Knob. The 18 Grenadiers captured Humps I through VIII, while the 13 JAK RIF captured Humps IX, X, and Rocky Knob.
After the completion of the Tololing mission, the then-commanding officer, who is now Lt. Col. Yogesh Kumar Joshi, planned an assault on Point 5140 before dawn; otherwise, the battalion would suffer maximal casualties.
Jiya Shankar Biography: Age, Height, Birthday, Early Life, Career, Controversies, Net Worth 2023
The acquisition of Point 4875
The 13 JAK RIF was assigned under the command of the 79 Mountain Brigade after reaching Mushkoh Valley. The subsequent objective was to acquire Point 4875. It was crucial for the Indian Army to capture National Highway 1, as the Pakistani Army could readily observe its gun positions, army camps, and troop movements.
Captain Vikram Batra: Movies
The 2013 Bollywood film LOC Kargil was based on the entirety of the Kargil conflict. In the film, Abhishek Bachchan portrayed Captain Vikram Batra.
The film Shershaah, directed by Vishnu Vardhan, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on August 12, 2021. It is based on Captain Vikram Batra’s life.
Captain Vikram Batra: Legacy
1- In recognition of his historic capturing of Point 4875, the mountain was named Batra Top in his honour.
The Captain Vikram Batra Enclave is a residential neighbourhood in the Jabalpur Cantonment.
3-A room at the Service Selection Centre Allahabad is referred to as the “Vikram Batra Block.”
4- The designation of the combined cadet mess at the IMA is “Vikram Batra Mess.”
5- At DAV College in Chandigarh is a memorial for war veterans, including Batra.
6- In December of 2019, Mukarba Chowk and its superstructure in New Delhi were renamed Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra Chowk.
