Can you name all four people in this image?
Can you name all four people?
We bet you know the three Khans of Bollywood – Salman, Shahrukh and Aamir. The fourth person however happens to be a bigger hero than all of them put together. Shall we find out who this hero is?
Captain Vikram Batra
Meet the Late Captain Vikram Batra.
Location of Martyrdom: Kargil LOC ( Kargil War )
Date: July 7th 1999
Mission: Point 5140 , Point 4750, Point 4875
His Famous Dialogue: “I will either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it.”
During the Kargil war in June 1999 the mission of recapturing point 5140 at a height of 17000 feet, which was of strategic significance to the Indian Army, was given to a unit headed by Capt Vikram Batra.
On arriving at Point 5140, Capt Batra faced off with the commander of the Pakistani-backed terrorists over radio. The enemy provoked him with, “Why have you come here Shershah, you will not go back.” Never one to back away from a fight Capt. Batra, replied, “We shall see within one hour who remains at the top.” As promised, within the hour Captain Batra and his company killed eight enemy soldiers and captured a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, neutralising the strategic peak. Mission Point 5140 was a success. Marking the success was Capt. Batra’s radio message of ,“Yeh dil mange more!” to this Commanding Officer (CO),
In the next chapter which took place at Point 4750, he was challenged by the enemy, “Shershah, nobody shall be left to lift your dead bodies!”. Shershah (Capt. Batra) as nicknamed by his CO returned, “Don’t worry about us, pray for your safety.” He re-captured Point 4750 and hoisted the Indian flag.
He was not just brave but he was also a patriot to the core refusing to allow the enemy to win anything. He volunteered for his third mission of re-capturing point 4875. On July 5th, 1999, after destroying the intruders, his company and others lead by Capt. Anuj Nayyar, re-captured the peak. The enemy regrouped and counter-attacked on July 7th and our team retaliated with enthusiasm. During the fire-exchange, Capt Batra’s junior Lt. Naveen was hit and Shershah of course, jumped to his rescue. Lt. Naveen didn’t want to back down and wanted to continue but Shershah replied, “Tu baal bachedaar hai! Hatt jaa peeche.” (You are the one with kids; back away!) While saving his comrade, a bullet found its way to Capt. Batra’s heart and the brave captain fell with the words, “Jai Mata Di” to become immortal in our hearts.
This is a real story and we must never forget it. Like we recognize our Bollywood heroes instantly, we must all make it a point to make stories of people like Captain Vikram Batra famous and remembered. These brave soldiers have laid down their lives in the line of duty so that we can enjoy our freedon and sleep peacefully in our homes. Let us forever remember them in our hearts.
