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The Tale of the Braveheart's Final Mission

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The Tale of the Braveheart's Final Mission The Tale of The Braveheart’s Final Mission Captain Vikram Batra, was an officer of the Indian Army, awarded with the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest and most prestigious award for valour, for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War. He led one of the toughest operations in mountain warfare in Indian history. He was often referred to as ‘'Sher Shah'’ ("Lion King") in the intercepted messages of the Pakistan Army. In January 1999, he was sent to attend a Commando Course at Belgaum in Karnataka where he was brilliant .At the end of it, he was awarded the highest grading—the Instructor's Grade. Vikram Batra last went home on leave from the army in 1999, during the Holi festival for a few days. Then the very famous Kargil War began. The 13 JAK RIF reached Dras on 6 June, was placed under the command of 56 Mountain Brigade, and was given orders to act as reserves to the 2nd battalion, Rajputana Rifles during their attack on Tololing mountain. The 18 Grenadiers made four attempts to capture Tololing, but could only succeed in securing the lower slopes, while suffering heavy casualties, eventually, 2 RAJ RIF was assigned the mission of capturing Tololing, and they did so on 13 June 1999.After the capture of Tololing, 13 JAK RIF marched from Dras to Tololing. Upon reaching, A Coy, 13 JAK RIF took over Tololing and a portion of the Ridge Complex from 18 Grenadiers. After that they captured point 5140, about 1600 metres north of Tololing on the same ridgeline. During the capture of point 4875, he defended two attacks from the Pakistani forces. He sustained grievous injuries in the process, yet he continued his charge, with supporting fire from the rest of the patrol, and reached the very narrow entrance of the sangar. Taking the enemy by surprise, he killed 5 Pakistani soldiers in a close combat. Later Batra courageously exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue an injured soldier to safety, and in the process was shot in the chest by an enemy sniper from very close range and a split-second later, by a splinter from an RPG which hit him right in the head. Batra collapsed next to the injured soldier, succumbing to his fatal wounds. This is how our Braveheart lost his life but made sure to live on forever in our hearts. Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour on 15 August 1999, the 52nd anniversary of India's independence. His father G.L. Batra received the honour for his deceased son from the President of India, the late K. R. Narayanan.Captain. Vikram Batra, thus, displayed the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Some of the famous lines said by Captain Vikram Batra are- "I'll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I'll come back for sure." and also the lines "Yeh Dil mange more" which was the tagline of Pepsi. He used as the success signal for his company. These lines show us his creative side whilst showing his bravery. Thank you. •Rank- CDT •Name- SUCHISMITA NAYAK •Regimental no.-WB20SWA103007 •Institution- SERAMPORE COLLEGE •Unit- 2(B)BN NCC KOL-B •Year- 1st YEAR .
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