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“I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it.”


Capt. Vikram Batra, PVC

On June 1st, 1999, when the Kargil war was to erupt, Capt Vikram Batra’s unit was sent to Kargil's daring operation to recapture the Point 5140 – of utmost importance to India. Point 5140 was at a height of 17,000 feet.

Reaching Point 5140, Capt Batra faced the commander of the Pakistani-backed terrorists on radio. The enemy commander provoked him, “Why have you come here Shershah, you will not go back.” Captain Batra, being the last person to back away from a fight, replied, “We shall see within one hour who remains on the top.” In a short while Captain Batra and his company of troops killed eight enemy soldiers and captured a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, neutralising the advantageous peak. Mission Point 5140 was a success. Soon after he radioed his Commanding Officer (CO), “Yeh dil mange more!” The capture of peak 5140 led to the fall of Tiger Hill and India’s eventual hold on the valley got stronger. When he called his father after the operation saying that he had completed the operation and captured the peak, little did he know that his responsibilities were going to increase many fold in the coming days.


Point 5140, also known as Tiger Hill

Next chapter was Point 4750, where he was dared again by the enemy who said, “Shershah, nobody shall be left to lift your dead bodies!”. Shershah, as nicknamed by his CO hurled, “Don’t worry about us, pray for your safety.” Later he re-captured Point 4750 and hoisted the national flag.

His heart, in zeal of patriotism wanting victory, made him volunteer for his third task of re-capturing point 4875. On July 5th, 1999, after thrashing intruders, his company and others lead by Capt. Anuj Nayyar, re-captured the peak. The enemy counter-attacked on July 7th but the team retaliated with enthusiasm. During the fire-exchange, Capt Batra’s junior Lt. Naveen was hit and Shershah jumped to his rescue, who was pleading to let him continue to which he replied, “Tu baal bachedaar hai! Hatt jaa peeche.” (You are the one with kids; back away!) And while saving his comrade, a bullet found its way to Capt Batra’s heart and the brave captain with the words, “Jai Mata Di” fell on the ground to become immortal in our hearts.

The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of success, such as Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak and Three Pimples. Along with fellow Captain Anuj Nayyar, Batra led his men to victory with the recapture of Point 4750 and Point 4875.


A memorial for war veterans including Batra at his alma matter DAV College, Chandigarh.

Captain Batra is also well known in India for using the slogan, Yeh Dil Maange More! as his signal to communicate mission success. He is also known for an interview in which he stated that Pakistani Soldiers were aware of him as "Sher Shah" and addressed him as such in the middle of engagements.

Honours:
*The historic capture of point 4875 led to the mountain being named ' Batra top' in his honor.
*A hall at Service Selection Center Allahabad is named 'Vikram Batra Block',
*A residential area in the Jabalpur Cantonment is called 'Captain Vikram Batra Enclave'
*The combined cadet's mess at the IMA is named 'Vikram Batra Mess'.
*The 2003 Hindi film LOC Kargil, based on the entire Kargil conflict had Abhishek Bachchan playing the role of Captain Batra.

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