Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated every year on July 26 to honour the troops who died in the Kargil War. The battle raged from May to July 1999. The day also commemorated the completion of ‘Operation Vijay,’ which was started in 1999 to recapture the Kargil Drass area from Pakistani invaders.

Each soldier who fought valiantly for the country in the Kargil War is regarded as a hero. These brave souls gave up their life to ensure the safety of their fellow citizens. Their courage, fortitude, and passion are seen in their stories that are larger than life. We’ve put together a list of four such army heroes whose stories will not only make you proud, but may also leave you teary-eyed.

Captain Vikram Batra

Vikram batra was a part of 13 JAK RIF, which was instructed to travel to Dras in Jammu and Kashmir.

Batra was important in winning back Peak 5140, which overlooks the Tololing nullah, and is renowned as the Hero of the Kargil War. During the mission, he picked ‘Yeh Dil Mange More!’ as their success signal.

He proceeded on another expedition to take Peak 4875 after capturing Peak 5140. Without a doubt, it was one of the most challenging missions undertaken by the Indian army. One of his teammates ended up getting shot during the fight.

Batra then seized the head and was martyred while clearing enemy positions to save him. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest and most prestigious honor, for his sacrifice during the Kargil War between India and Pakistan in 1999.

Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav

Nayab Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav was the youngest person to ever be awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, in August 1999. On June 12, 1999, his regiment took Tololing Top, and two commanders, two junior commissioned officers, and 21 troops died in the process.

He was also a member of Ghatak Platoon, which was tasked with capturing three critical bunkers on Tiger Hill’s top steep, 16500-foot-high rock. When the opposing bunker began firing rockets, he was climbing with the help of a rope. He was struck by numerous gunshots but carried on with the objective despite the pain.

He crept to the first enemy bunker and hurled a grenade, killing four Pakistani soldiers and putting the enemy on the defensive. The rest of the Indian platoon was able to clamber up the rock wall as a result of this.

This mission is regarded as one of the toughest missions of the Kargil war.

Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey

Another courageous soldier who gave his life for the honour of his nation, Pandey served in the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles. According to his father, he enlisted in the Indian Army only with the purpose of receiving the Param Vir Chakra, the country’s highest bravery award. And he ended up doing so, although posthumously.

His unit was charged with clearing the opposing forces, so he launched a series of attacks to drive them back. Under heavy enemy fire, the gallant and badly injured officer maintained his attack, which resulted in the Batalik sector’s conquest of Jaubar Top and Khalubar Hill.

Lieutenant Balwan Singh

Lieutenant Balwan Singh and his Ghatak Platoon were entrusted with assaulting Tiger Hill Top from the north-east as part of a multi-pronged attack on 3 July, 1999. The path, which was snowbound and studded with crevasses and precipitous falls, was located at a height of 16500 feet.

With only three months of service under his belt, the officer went about his job with a single-minded dedication. He led the squad for more than 12 hours over a treacherous and perilous terrain while under heavy artillery fire to reach the targeted point.

His squad utilised cliff assault climbing equipment to sneak up to the top, surprising the enemy. The enemy panicked when they saw the Ghataks and sought to resist them in a desperate combat. Lt. Balwan Singh was badly hurt in the combat, yet he remained unfazed in his determination to defeat the enemy. Despite his wounds, he refused to leave the battlefield and encircled the attackers, killing four enemy soldiers.

The officer’s inspiring leadership, courage, and daring were crucial in the conquest of Tiger Hill. For his bravery and heroism, he received the Maha Vir Chakra.