15th August 1999 - The nation saluted its brave soldiers by awarding various gallantry awards for sacrifice during Operation Vijay.
The following list is compiled from information available in the public domain. If any name is missed that is just because of the lack of information, not to be taken otherwise.
I salute thee ...
Param Vir Chakra
Capt. Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles - Posthumous
Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles - Posthumous
Grenedier Yogender Singh Yadav, 18 Grenediers
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles
Maha Vir Chakra
Maj. Vivek Gupta, 2 Rajputana Rifles
Maj. Padmapani Acharya, 2 Rajputana Rifles
Capt. N Kenguruse, 2 Rajputana Rifles
Naik Digendra Kumar, 2 Rajputana Rifles
Maj. Rajesh Singh Adhikari, 18 Grenadiers
Lt. Balwan Singh, 18 Grenadiers
Capt. Anuj Nayyar, 17 Jat
Lt. Keshing Clifford Nongrum, 12 JAK Light Infantry
Major Sonam Wangchuk, Ladakh Scouts
Vir Chakra
Col Umesh Singh Bawa,
Col Lalit Rai,
Col M.B. Ravindranat ,
Lt Col Yogesh Kumar Joshi,
Maj S. Vijay Bhaskar,
Maj Deepak Rampal,
Maj Vikas Vohra,
Maj Amrinder Singh Kasana,
Maj Rajesh Sah,
Maj Mohit Saxena,
Maj M. Saravanan (posthumous),
Capt Shyamal Sinha.
Capt Amol Kalia (posthumous),
Capt Sachin Annarao Nimbalkar,
Capt Sanjeev Singh.
Capt Haneef Uddin (posthumous).
Capt Sumeet Roy (posthumous),
Capt Maridhvodan Veetil Sooraj,
Capt Jintu Gogoi (posthumous),
Capt R.Jery Prem Raj (posthumous),
Lt Vijyant Thapar (posthumous),
Sub Chhering Stobdan.
Sub Bahadur Singh (posthumous),
Sub Lobzang Chhotak (posthumous),
Sub Randhir Singh (posthumous),
Sub Bhawar Lal (posthumous),
Sub Raghunath Singh
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Remembering the kargil Heros
The following write-up is dedicated to all the soldiers of the Indian Army who guard our frontiers, ensuring a good night's sleep of a billion people and specifically to Maj. Avishek Mukherjee (6 Jat- COAS commendation awardee 2003), my dear friend.
14th July 1999: Govt. of India declared Operation Vijay a success. With that officially ended months of bitter battle at the Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors of J&K. What started of as a normal cleanup of the summer infiltration process soon waged into a full blown war involving multiple companies of the Indian Army. The army had to scale steep peaks with ammo and supplies, fight an enemy who could not be seen, and entrenched in the safety of their bunker who were firing. The unknowns were plenty – strength of the enemy in terms of numbers, their artillery support as well as their location specifications. Add to it the vantage position they were located. The army showed tremendous courage and in the following paragraphs would like to refresh the memory of selfless bravery shown by some brave soldiers of the soil.
Would like to recall the valiant acts of bravery shown by Cap. Vikram Batra (13 Jak Rif - Param Vir Chakra awardee) , Cap. Anuj nayar (17th Jat - Mahavir chakra awardee) , Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav (18 Grenadier- Param Vir Chakra awardee), Lt. Manoj Pandey (1/11 Gorkha Rifles- Param Vir Chakra Awardee), Rifleman Sanjay Kumar (13 JAK Rif - Param Vir Chakra Awardee), Lt. Saurabh Kalia (4 JAT) .
This endearing smiling face of Cap. Vikram Batra on the front page of The Telegraph till date remains an enigma. That was after the 13 JAK Rif captured point 5140. In fact by the time the photograph was published, Capt Vikram Batra had laid down his life while successfully capturing point 4875. His belief in the sobriquet "yeh Dil Maange more" will always be remembered as will be his smiling face in the midst of adversity. He was tragically killed, when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack against Point 4875 in the early morning hours of 07 July 1999. His last words were, "Jai Mata Di." (Hail the Goddess of Victory). For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and junior leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy, Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest medal for gallantry, posthumously
Cap Anuj Nayar's first major operation involved securing Pt. 4875, a strategic mountain peak on the western side of Tiger Hill, which was occupied by Pakistani armed forces. Pt. 4875 was an extremely strategic mountain peak second only to the Tiger Hill and securing it from the Pakistani infiltrators was a top priority for the Indian Army. Pt. 4875, which stood at 16,250 feet above sea level, had extremely steep slopes and capturing the peak without aerial support was considered near impossible. The Pakistani infiltrators had constructed several bunkers on Pt. 4875. Anuj's company located 4 enemy bunkers and charged the first bunker. During the assault, Anuj fired a Rocket propelled grenade and destroyed the first bunker. The company then charged towards the remaining 3 bunkers during which they came under heavy mortar fire from Pakistani infiltrators. However, under Anuj's leadership, the company cleared two more bunkers. It was while clearing the 4th bunker, that an enemy RPG shell fell directly on Anuj killing him on the spot. In fact capturing point 4875 was led by Cap. Anuj Sharma's Charlie team and Cap Vikram Batra's Delta team. He was posthmously awared the Maha Vir Chakra.
Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav was part of a 22 member team from the Bombay Grenadiers Regiment (known as the Ghatak platoon) with a mission to capture three bunkers on Tiger Hill. Yadav, leading the assault, climbed the steep snowbound cliff and fixed ropes to facilitate his comrades' assault on the cliff. However, an enemy bunker opened fire with machine guns on the team when they were half way up killing three, including the Platoon Commander.
Yadav continued to climb the cliff despite having been hit by three bullets in the groin and shoulders. He scaled 60 ft of the cliff in this condition and after reaching the top, crawled and lobbed a grenade inside the bunker killed four enemy soldiers. This cleared the path for the rest of the platoon.
He then charged to the second bunker along with two of his colleagues and killed another three enemy soldiers in fierce hand to hand combat. He sustained bullet injuries and with a strapped broken hand hand rolled down the mountain to inform about impending enemy reinforcement arrivals
These actions were vital to the unit recapturing the Tiger Hill from the enemy and earned him the highest Indian Military honour, the Param Vir Chakra. He was 19 when he received the award.
Cap Manoj Pandey led his men to capture the Jubar top which was considered as important due to its strategic location. Quickly sizing up the situation, the young officer led his platoon along a narrow, treacherous ridge that led to the enemy position.
While still short of the objective, the enemy fired upon the Indian soldiers effectively stalling the Indian attack. Displaying great courage, he surged ahead of his troops and charged at the enemy with a full throated battle cry through a hail of bullets.
Although wounded in the shoulder and leg, he pressed on his solitary charge with grim determination, until he closed in on the first bunker. Then in ferocious hand-to-hand combat, he killed two of the enemy and cleared the first bunker. It was the turning point. Inspired by their leader's spontaneous valour, the troops charged at the enemy and fell upon them. Unmindful of his grievous wounds, he rushed from bunker to bunker urging his men on. Critically bleeding, he collapsed at the final bunker and finally succumbed to his injuries. But by this time he had already captured the bunker with his men.
Manoj Kumar Pandey was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest medal for gallantry, posthumously.
In his personal diary he wrote "Some goals are so worthy, it's glorious even to fail".
Killing five enemy personnel, lifting a machine gun while hit by a bullet in thigh muscle, lobbying a grenade and clearing a important army post.
It is not a narration of any popular bollywood film but a real life scene enacted by Rifleman Sanjay Kumar of the 13 JAK Rif in "Operation Vijay" while capturing army post in the Mushkoh Valley.He was awarded Param Vir Chakara and only one of handfull of personnel to be conferred this highest military award. Little did the PVC awardee know that his act would bring this laurel, for him it was a part of the duty which was executed with perfection.After suffering initial causality a final assault was launched in the wee hours of July 5. It was defining moment in the career of Rifleman when he was asked to lead the attack. He charged from the front and managed to clear the sangar by killing intruders.But this was not the final movement, as he ran out of ammunition the Rifleman was hit by two bullets in his thigh. On noticing the presence of intruders in near sangar he snatched a UMG from the Pak solider killed by him and captured the second sangar also. His daring attack and in effectively engaging the enemy personnel led to the capture of Point 4875. Determined and highly resolved to get the post clear, he refused to get vacated till the entire was cleared. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar is one such lucky jawan who got Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award of Indian Army, alive for showing exceptional grit and bravery during the Kargil conflict as he began his career in the army
At Bareilly (JAT Regiment Centre) Lt. Saurabh Kalia had said, "I am proud that I have joined 4 JAT and one day 4 JAT would be proud that Saurabh Kalia joined this regiment." He died even before his first paycheck arrived. Can we forget these acts of valor, grit and determination. Lt. Saurabh Kalia and his 5 colleagues were subjected inhuman brutalities for 22 days before being shot dead - They did not break while undergoing this unlimited barbarism. This speaks volumes of their patriotism, grit, determination, tenacity and valor and the whole nation is proud of them.
…….
8 years have passed. They are the true soldiers of the country’s fortune going ahead - a source of inspiration for many including me. Saluting these brave souls who along with the rest of Indian Army were responsible for re-gaining lost territory in J&K.
Quoting the touching lyrics of the song from LOC-Kargil penned by Javed Akhtar saab
Khaamosh Hai Jo Ye Vo Sadaa Hai
Vo Jo Nahin Hai Vo Kah Rahaa Hai
Saathiyon Tumko Mile Jeet Hi Jeet Sadaa
Bas Itnaa Yaad Rahe Ek Saathi Aur Bhi Thaa
Jaao Jo Laut Ke Tum Ghar Ho Khushi Se Bharaa
Bas Itnaa Yaad Rahe Ek Saathi Aur Bhi Thaa.......
Roughly translated this means:
During the silent time
the souls of the departed
Wish you victory always
and request that
Post war when you happily return home,
do spare a thought for a friend/compatriot who is no more
Jai Hind
14th July 1999: Govt. of India declared Operation Vijay a success. With that officially ended months of bitter battle at the Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors of J&K. What started of as a normal cleanup of the summer infiltration process soon waged into a full blown war involving multiple companies of the Indian Army. The army had to scale steep peaks with ammo and supplies, fight an enemy who could not be seen, and entrenched in the safety of their bunker who were firing. The unknowns were plenty – strength of the enemy in terms of numbers, their artillery support as well as their location specifications. Add to it the vantage position they were located. The army showed tremendous courage and in the following paragraphs would like to refresh the memory of selfless bravery shown by some brave soldiers of the soil.
Would like to recall the valiant acts of bravery shown by Cap. Vikram Batra (13 Jak Rif - Param Vir Chakra awardee) , Cap. Anuj nayar (17th Jat - Mahavir chakra awardee) , Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav (18 Grenadier- Param Vir Chakra awardee), Lt. Manoj Pandey (1/11 Gorkha Rifles- Param Vir Chakra Awardee), Rifleman Sanjay Kumar (13 JAK Rif - Param Vir Chakra Awardee), Lt. Saurabh Kalia (4 JAT) .
This endearing smiling face of Cap. Vikram Batra on the front page of The Telegraph till date remains an enigma. That was after the 13 JAK Rif captured point 5140. In fact by the time the photograph was published, Capt Vikram Batra had laid down his life while successfully capturing point 4875. His belief in the sobriquet "yeh Dil Maange more" will always be remembered as will be his smiling face in the midst of adversity. He was tragically killed, when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack against Point 4875 in the early morning hours of 07 July 1999. His last words were, "Jai Mata Di." (Hail the Goddess of Victory). For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and junior leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy, Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest medal for gallantry, posthumously
Cap Anuj Nayar's first major operation involved securing Pt. 4875, a strategic mountain peak on the western side of Tiger Hill, which was occupied by Pakistani armed forces. Pt. 4875 was an extremely strategic mountain peak second only to the Tiger Hill and securing it from the Pakistani infiltrators was a top priority for the Indian Army. Pt. 4875, which stood at 16,250 feet above sea level, had extremely steep slopes and capturing the peak without aerial support was considered near impossible. The Pakistani infiltrators had constructed several bunkers on Pt. 4875. Anuj's company located 4 enemy bunkers and charged the first bunker. During the assault, Anuj fired a Rocket propelled grenade and destroyed the first bunker. The company then charged towards the remaining 3 bunkers during which they came under heavy mortar fire from Pakistani infiltrators. However, under Anuj's leadership, the company cleared two more bunkers. It was while clearing the 4th bunker, that an enemy RPG shell fell directly on Anuj killing him on the spot. In fact capturing point 4875 was led by Cap. Anuj Sharma's Charlie team and Cap Vikram Batra's Delta team. He was posthmously awared the Maha Vir Chakra.
Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav was part of a 22 member team from the Bombay Grenadiers Regiment (known as the Ghatak platoon) with a mission to capture three bunkers on Tiger Hill. Yadav, leading the assault, climbed the steep snowbound cliff and fixed ropes to facilitate his comrades' assault on the cliff. However, an enemy bunker opened fire with machine guns on the team when they were half way up killing three, including the Platoon Commander.
Yadav continued to climb the cliff despite having been hit by three bullets in the groin and shoulders. He scaled 60 ft of the cliff in this condition and after reaching the top, crawled and lobbed a grenade inside the bunker killed four enemy soldiers. This cleared the path for the rest of the platoon.
He then charged to the second bunker along with two of his colleagues and killed another three enemy soldiers in fierce hand to hand combat. He sustained bullet injuries and with a strapped broken hand hand rolled down the mountain to inform about impending enemy reinforcement arrivals
These actions were vital to the unit recapturing the Tiger Hill from the enemy and earned him the highest Indian Military honour, the Param Vir Chakra. He was 19 when he received the award.
Cap Manoj Pandey led his men to capture the Jubar top which was considered as important due to its strategic location. Quickly sizing up the situation, the young officer led his platoon along a narrow, treacherous ridge that led to the enemy position.
While still short of the objective, the enemy fired upon the Indian soldiers effectively stalling the Indian attack. Displaying great courage, he surged ahead of his troops and charged at the enemy with a full throated battle cry through a hail of bullets.
Although wounded in the shoulder and leg, he pressed on his solitary charge with grim determination, until he closed in on the first bunker. Then in ferocious hand-to-hand combat, he killed two of the enemy and cleared the first bunker. It was the turning point. Inspired by their leader's spontaneous valour, the troops charged at the enemy and fell upon them. Unmindful of his grievous wounds, he rushed from bunker to bunker urging his men on. Critically bleeding, he collapsed at the final bunker and finally succumbed to his injuries. But by this time he had already captured the bunker with his men.
Manoj Kumar Pandey was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest medal for gallantry, posthumously.
In his personal diary he wrote "Some goals are so worthy, it's glorious even to fail".
Killing five enemy personnel, lifting a machine gun while hit by a bullet in thigh muscle, lobbying a grenade and clearing a important army post.
It is not a narration of any popular bollywood film but a real life scene enacted by Rifleman Sanjay Kumar of the 13 JAK Rif in "Operation Vijay" while capturing army post in the Mushkoh Valley.He was awarded Param Vir Chakara and only one of handfull of personnel to be conferred this highest military award. Little did the PVC awardee know that his act would bring this laurel, for him it was a part of the duty which was executed with perfection.After suffering initial causality a final assault was launched in the wee hours of July 5. It was defining moment in the career of Rifleman when he was asked to lead the attack. He charged from the front and managed to clear the sangar by killing intruders.But this was not the final movement, as he ran out of ammunition the Rifleman was hit by two bullets in his thigh. On noticing the presence of intruders in near sangar he snatched a UMG from the Pak solider killed by him and captured the second sangar also. His daring attack and in effectively engaging the enemy personnel led to the capture of Point 4875. Determined and highly resolved to get the post clear, he refused to get vacated till the entire was cleared. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar is one such lucky jawan who got Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award of Indian Army, alive for showing exceptional grit and bravery during the Kargil conflict as he began his career in the army
At Bareilly (JAT Regiment Centre) Lt. Saurabh Kalia had said, "I am proud that I have joined 4 JAT and one day 4 JAT would be proud that Saurabh Kalia joined this regiment." He died even before his first paycheck arrived. Can we forget these acts of valor, grit and determination. Lt. Saurabh Kalia and his 5 colleagues were subjected inhuman brutalities for 22 days before being shot dead - They did not break while undergoing this unlimited barbarism. This speaks volumes of their patriotism, grit, determination, tenacity and valor and the whole nation is proud of them.
…….
8 years have passed. They are the true soldiers of the country’s fortune going ahead - a source of inspiration for many including me. Saluting these brave souls who along with the rest of Indian Army were responsible for re-gaining lost territory in J&K.
Quoting the touching lyrics of the song from LOC-Kargil penned by Javed Akhtar saab
Khaamosh Hai Jo Ye Vo Sadaa Hai
Vo Jo Nahin Hai Vo Kah Rahaa Hai
Saathiyon Tumko Mile Jeet Hi Jeet Sadaa
Bas Itnaa Yaad Rahe Ek Saathi Aur Bhi Thaa
Jaao Jo Laut Ke Tum Ghar Ho Khushi Se Bharaa
Bas Itnaa Yaad Rahe Ek Saathi Aur Bhi Thaa.......
Roughly translated this means:
During the silent time
the souls of the departed
Wish you victory always
and request that
Post war when you happily return home,
do spare a thought for a friend/compatriot who is no more
Jai Hind
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
