Born in a middle-class family, Captain Vikram Batra achieved great success in the Indian Army at a young age with his determination, courage and leadership. The Kargil war hero, who made the supreme sacrifice for the country, hailed from Ghuggar village near Palampur in Himachal Pradesh.
The country lost this brave son on 7 July 1999 during the Kargil War. Captain Batra was awarded the highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, after his supreme sacrifice.
Not many would know that Captain Vikram, nicknamed Sher Shar among his friends, was a Green Belt holder in Karate. He also played table tennis at the national level.
Capt Batra was also awarded the Best NCC Cadet (Air Wing) of Punjab Directorate, Northern Zone as a college student. He wanted to join the Indian Army since childhood. He finally made his dream come true in 1996 when he joined the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun) as a lieutenant. There Vikram Batra became part of the Jessore Company of the Manekshaw Battalion and was commissioned into the 13 JAK Rifles.
It was during the Kargil War when he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
During the Kargil War, on 19 June, Vikram Batra’s Delta Company was ordered to recapture one of the most important peaks, Peak 5140. Although the Pakistani troops had the advantage of sitting on top, Batra and his men successfully climbed the hill and claimed victory.
In the next mission, Captain Batra was sent along with his men to take control of Point 4875, eighty degrees steep and 17,000 feet high.
On the night of 7 July, as Batra and his men proceeded for their mission, the weather conditions became unfavourable due to fog. Nevertheless, the soldiers managed to reach the top. Meanwhile, Batra was seriously injured while rescuing another officer. However, he did not give up. Eventually the Captain could not escape but India captured Point 4875 on the morning of 8 July.
The recently released Hindi film Shershaah is based on the life and bravery of Captain Batra. Actor Sidharth Malhotra played the role of Captain Vikram Batra in the film.
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