Army commander flies over Batra Top to pay tribute to Captain Vikram Batra

Captain Vikram Batra’s heroic during the Kargil war is part of the military legend and on his death anniversary; it was his then Commanding Officer and now the Northern Army Commander, who paid the ultimate tribute to the Kargil brave heart.

Lt Gen Y.K. Joshi flew in a Sukhoi fighter jet over the same mountain top that saw the valor of Batra and his troops in fighting the Pakistani forces during the Kargil conflict.

On 7th July 1999, Captain Batra, a young and brave officer who had caught the fancy of the nation and become the icon of the Indian Army’s spirit for his success signal — “Dil Maange More” — during the capture of Pt 5140, made the supreme sacrifice, but not before capturing the Pt 4875, which is now christened as Batra Top.

To commemorate his ‘Balidan Diwas’, his then Commanding Officer and now GOC-in-C, Northern Command, flew over the Batra Top on Wednesday 7th July in a Sukhoi-30 MKI.

The gesture symbolizes the enduring relationship between a Commanding Officer and his brave officer.

Joshi paid homage to his fallen Captain from the sky, an apt recognition of IAF’s contribution to the ground operations during Operation Vijay.

Captain Batra continues to motivate the current generation of officers and would do so always.

It is most befitting that his gallant action is being commemorated by his then Commanding Officer of 13 JAK RIF, whose contribution to the war efforts was recognized by the Vir Chakra for exceptional leadership in face of the adversary.

Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest and most prestigious award for valor, for his actions during the war.

In 2019, Joshi along with Batra’s brother Vishal and others who fought along with Batra had climbed the Batra Top to honor his supreme sacrifice.