No. 05/2019 AN INDIAN ARMY PUBLICATION May 2019 OPERATION VIJAY (Kargil War 1999) “Either I will come back after hoisting the tri colour or I will come wrapped in it, but I will come back for sure.” Captain Vikram Batra Captain Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra, 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles uring the Kargil war, Captain Vikram Batra of 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles and his Delta Company were tasked to recapture one of the most arduous and crucial peaks, Point 5140. At a height of 17000 feet, he and his men planned to approach the hill from the rear, so as to take the enemies by surprise. DThey ascended the rocky cliff but as they neared the top, the Pakistani intruders pinned them on the face of the cliff with machine gun fire. Undeterred by this, Captain Batra and five of his men climbed up and on reaching the top hurled two grenades at the machine gun positions. He single handedly killed three soldiers in close combat and despite being badly injured during the exchange, he regrouped his men and continued the mission. After a long battle, many enemy soldiers were killed and his unit won a decisive victory. His courage inspired his men to charge the enemy positions and on 20 June 1999, they captured Point 5140. ‘Chanakya …it’s Shershah reporting!! We’ve captured the post! Yeh Dil Maange More!’ Captain Vikram Batra told his Commanding Officer after securing Point 5140 (Tiger Hill). On 07 July 1999, in another operation in the area of Point 4875, his company was tasked to clear a narrow feature with sharp cuttings on either side and heavily fortified enemy defences that covered the only approach to it. For speedy operation, Captain Batra assaulted the enemy position along a narrow ridge and engaged the enemy in a fierce hand–to-hand fight killing five enemy soldiers at point blank range. Despite sustaining grave injuries, he crawled towards the enemy and hurled grenades clearing the position with utter disregard to his personal safety. Leading from the front, he rallied his men and pressed on the attack and achieved a near impossible military task in the face of heavy enemy fire. The officer, while doing so, sustained bullet injuries and ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Inspired by his daredevil act, his troops fell upon the enemy with vengeance, annihilated them and captured Point 4875. Captain Vikram Batra, thus, displayed the most conspicuous 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. He was awarded the country’s highest Gallantry Award, Param Vir Chakra (Posthumously). His saga of bravery is truly inspirational and he continues to be called ‘Sher Shah’, a title that will remain legendary in the history of Indian Army. Today, he is an inspiring ico to millions. THE NATION CELEBRATES 2O YEARS OF KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS. ‘LETS CELEBRATE VALOUR, COURAGE AND SACRIFICE’ 2 Baatcheet May 2019 May 2019 From the Editor’s Desk aised on 01 May 1963, the Central Command has been actively involved in every major operation of the Indian Army. With its troops Rdeployed in one of the most varied terrain ranging upto approx 16000 feet and witnessing temperatures consistently below the freezing point, the Command has been the first responders to the major calamities and has contributed towards disaster relief operations within its area of responsibility and overseas whenever called upon. It was the first respondent in the Nepal earth quake for Operation MAITRI and played a pivotal role in rescue and rebuilding. The most recent example is Operation VIJAY (Kargil War 1999)............................ 2 Operation SAMUDRA MAITRI in Indonesia after the Chief’s Page ............................................................... 4 Tsunami. In Focus ..................................................................... 5 Central Command over the years has become Snippets ..................................................................6-7 the primary node for joint training with friendly Central Command Special .................................... 8-9 foreign countries. The past year witnessed training activities with contingents of Bangladesh, Afghanistan J&K Diary ................................................................ 10 and Vietnam. The Command by virtue of being in North East Diary ....................................................... 11 hinterland is also extending training and advice to Communique ............................................................ 12 Central Armed Police Force and State Forces in counter Welfare and Empowerment ..................................... 13 naxal strategies. Training .................................................................... 14 The ethos of 'Surya' represents the most potent source of energy sustaining all forms of life on the earth. Sports and Adventure .............................................. 15 Geographically located in the heart of the country with Regimental Celebrations .......................................... 16 the area stretching from the Greater Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal spanning seven States, the Command CONTACT FOR QUERIES Publisher : Additional Directorate General, ensures the sanctity and security of the Central Sector Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army) and hinterland while providing crucial support to the Office : B-30, South Block, New Delhi - 110011 entire Indian Army through its training establishments Tele : Off - 23018665, 33332/33249 Indian Army Website : www.indianarmy.nic.in or and logistic nodes. www.indianarmy.gov.in Facebook : www.facebook.com/indianarmy.adgpi Twitter : www.twitter.com/adgpi GSO1 (Pub) : Maj Dibya Satapathy Editor Baatcheet Email : [email protected] ADG PI : [email protected] Brig PI : [email protected] Colonel (IO) : [email protected] Colonel (Media) : [email protected] Colonel (Social Media) : [email protected] Webmaster IA : [email protected] Contact No : 011-23018665, 33332 33249 (ASCON) Printer : Xtreme Office Aids (Pvt.) Ltd, N D-46 Ph : 011-45627583 Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command paying homage to fallen brethren at “Smritika War Memorial” Baatcheet May 2019 We request our readers to send good quality, high resolution photographs for cover page of Baatcheet. 3 CHIEF’S PAGE Chief of the Army Staff, visited Pentagon and met his counterpart, General Mark Milley, Chief of Staff, US Army on 06 April 19 General Bipin Rawat, in an impressive military ceremony, was inducted into the prestigious International Hall of Fame at the Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth on 05 April 19 General Bipin Rawat, attended the equipment display organised during the culmination of Exercise AFINDEX at Aundh Military Station, Pune Chief of the Army Staff met and interacted with the team members of Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Expedition from Leh to Karakoram Pass which began on 07 April 19. The team traversed over 1000 km in harsh terrain of Ladakh and successfully completed the expedition on 20 April 19 4 Baatcheet May 2019 IN FOCUS GLIMPSES OF ARMY COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE 2019 Army Commanders’ Conference was held at New Delhi from 08-13 April 19. It is an important event in planning and execution process of the Indian Army. To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through collegiate system comprising Army Commanders and senior officers. General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff chaired the Army Commanders' Conference from 08-13 April 19 General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff gave away the Sports Trophy for 2018-19 to Southern Command Baatcheet May 2019 5 SNIPPETS The first batch of Dhanush Gun System was handed over to An equipment display to promote indigenisation Indian Army by Ordnance Factory Board on 08 April 19. through ‘Make in India’, on emerging and future defence Dhanush Gun System can be employed in all types of terrain technological innovations was conducted during Army and is a new generation towed artillery gun system. Its has a Commanders' Conference, (ACC-19) at Manekshaw Centre, range of 36 km. New Delhi. Ms Nina Tshering LA, Indian Ambassador, visited Goma, The Royal Oman Cavalry Delegation visited the 61 Cavalry Demoratic Republic of Congo on 12 April 19. Commander, from 18-20 April 19. The delegation included Chief of the Central Sector, MONUSCO briefed her on the Peace Keeping Royal Cavalry of Oman Brigadier General Abdulrazak Operations and current dynamics in the area. Al Shahwarzi and was briefed by Commanding Officer of 61 Cavalry. Troops deployed in Jammu & Kashmir exercised their Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer duty and contitutional rights as a responsible citizen by Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command and Mrs participating in the democratic process. In a first-of-its-kind Kalpana Singh Dhatt, Regional President AWWA Northern the Election Commission of India provided the facility for Command visited Lieutenant Colonel Khushal Chand, MVC online downloading of ballot papers and forwarding it to Memorial at Khaltse, Leh on 22 April 19 and paid homage their respective electoral Returning Officers through post. to the martyr. 6 Baatcheet May 2019 SNIPPETS Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu, Vice Chief of the Army The first ever orientation programme for the officers of Staff visited Trishakti Corps and forward areas of Sikkim Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department of the Armed on 17-18 April 19. The VCOAS was briefed by the General Forces was conducted at Chandigarh Judicial Academy from Officer Commanding