Captain Vikram Batra, who joined the Indian Army in 1996, died on July 7, 2022, while trying to capture a strategic post called ‘Point 4875’ during the Kargil war. Batra, who was also posthumously given the Param Vir Chakra, is being remembered on his 23rd death anniversary on July 7, 2022.

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Captain Batra was from Ghuggar village near Palampur of Himachal Pradesh. He joined the Indian Military Academy in 1996 as a lieutenant. He was part of Jessore Company of Manekshaw Battalion and got commissioned into 13 JAK Rifles. In 1999, Pakistan and India engaged in high-altitude combat in Kargil. 

Captain Batra’s unit proceeded to the Kargil Sector on the eruption of a war-like situation in Kargil. This was his first strategic and daring operation to recapture the first peak – Point 5140, which was an altitude of 17,000 feet. Captain and his men succeeded in claiming victory despite the Pakistani soldiers sitting on top. After the capture of Point 5140, Batra was promoted to the rank of Captain. 

The next mission was to take control of the eighty-degree steep and 17,000ft. High Point 4875. Captain Batra and his men managed to reach the top despite the unfavourable weather condition. However, he could not survive the wound while rescuing another officer. 

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Out of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees over 75 years of India’s independence, 14 were awarded posthumously, and one was awarded to Vikram Batra. He was also a green belt holder in Karate and a national-level table tennis player. He was also awarded the best NCC cadet (Air Wing) of Punjab Directorate North Zone, as a college student.

A recent Bollywood movie starring Siddharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, Shershaah, pays tribute to the life and bravery of Captain Vikram Batra. 

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Captain Vikram Batra’s twin brother, Vishal Batra remembered him by Instagramming his picture captioning his words, “Yeh Dil Mange More” and writing a heartfelt message for his late brother.