Captain Vikram Batra
Param Vir Chakra
Immortalised by his words, "Yeh Dil Mange More," Captain Batra led his men to capture Point 5140, a height at 17,000 feet during the Kargil war. Against all odds, he ascended a rocky cliff, lobbing grenades at Pakistani machine gun posts. He personally killed 3 soldiers in close combat. The victory at Point 5140 led to a string of Indian army successes. His next assignment, the capture of Point 4875, came to define him as one of India's bravest sons. In a direct, day-time assault on Point 4875, Captain Batra took the enemy by surprise. Though injured, he continued to charge under cover-fire from his soldiers when he noticed one of his men lying in a pool of blood. He was struck by sniper fire in the chest as he attempted to move the injured soldier to safety. His last words, "Durga Mata Ki Jai," the battle-cry of his regiment. Spurred by his sacrifice, the men in Captain Batra's unit ferociously attacked the ledge, fighting like possessed men until it was captured. For his display of conspicuous gallantry, Captain Vikram Batra was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration.