nandu
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War Heroes: Captain Vikram Batra "Yeh Dil Maange More"
08 May 2010 : Born on 09 September 1974 to Mr G.L. Batra and Mrs Jai Kamal Batra, Vikram Batra joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in 1996 and was commissioned in to the 13 battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles after passing out from the IMA in December 1997.
The tales of his gallantry is one of the many, which helped India, regain the lost territory during the Kargil war. Vikram Batra played a key role in the in capture of Point 5140, also known as Tiger hill, which was at an altitude of 17,000 feet. It was also a critical peak from the point of view that it overlooked the Srinagar-Leh highway, which was important for logistics and supply of reinforcements for the Indian army.
Upon reaching Point 5140, leading a company of troops, he encountered the commander of the Pakistani-backed terrorists on radio. The enemy commander challenged him by saying, "Why have you come Shershah (his nick name), you will not go back." To which Captain Batra 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 more importantly captured a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, neutralising the advantageous peak. It was after the capture of Point 5140, that he radioed his commanding officer and said, "Yeh Dil Maange More." The words later went on to become a motivational slogan during the war and are used even now at various occasions like the Vijay Diwas.
After the historic victory that changed the course of the Kargil war, Captain Batra proceeded to capture Point 4750 and hoisted the national flag. However, it was in the third crucial operation, the capture of Point 4875, that the young Vikram Batra was martyred. He attacked the peak along with his company and another led by Captain Anuj Nayyar, MVC. They gave the enemy a tough time, killed a number of enemy troops and re-captured the peak on 05 July 1999. The enemy counter-attacked the peak on 07 July 1999, but Captain Batra retaliated the counter-attack with vigour.In the heat of the battle, one of his junior officers (Lieutenant Naveen) was seriously injured and Captain Batra immediately went to his rescue. Destiny however had something else in store for Captain Batra and during the rescue, he was hit by a bullet in the chest. With the words Jai Mata Di on his lips, the brave Captain fell down and was hit again in the waist by an artillery splinter. Before succumbing to his grievous injuries, this brave son of the motherland and a true lion of Bharat Mata killed another five enemy soldiers.
For his actions, which went beyond the call of duty, the brave son of the soil was awarded the nations highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra. His father received the award from the late President K.R. Narayanan. In recognition of his bravery, Point 4750 has been renamed as Vikram Batra top.
http://www.8ak.in/8ak_india_defence...captain-vikram-batra-yeh-dil-maange-more.html
