Wg Cdr Mahesh Chander Sudan
At the outset, I would prefer to quote Allen West, “we must never forget why we have and why we need four military. Our armed forces existsolely to ensure our nation is safe. So that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night. We have guardians at the gate”.
It has been proved again and again that Indian soldiers defend their motherland with exceptional valour and bravery against any misadventure raised to hurt the sanctity of borders, let it be in any form, shape, size or strength, and ever fulfilled their commitment even at the peril of their lives. In the winters of 1998-99, the Pakistan Army crossed LOC and occupied numerous heights along the roads connecting Leh and Ladakh to Srinagar and this misadventure of the adversary was dealt with severe fierce battles to retrieve the mischievously occupied territory from enemy. Indian Army declared their mission successful on 26 Jul 1999 after having fought war from 03 May 1999 to 26 July 1999. Since then, 26 July is observed as Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate the sacrifices made by 527 soldiers in the war. Indian Army built war memorial in the Drass town on National Highway five kilometers away from the city center across the Tiger hills to commemorate Kargil War. The memorial features the Captain Manoj Pandey gallery, which commemorates young officer who was posthumously awarded Param Vir Chakra. Scheduled visit of the Supreme Commander of Defence Forces, the President of India, to War Memorial at Drass on Kargil Vijay Diwas for paying homage to brave soldiers who attained martyrdom while defending their motherland would certainly convey reverence of the nation to these martyrs for their supreme sacrifice. On this day, let us join to pay due respect to the heroes of Kargil War who were honored with gallantry awards for their acts of exceptional bravery.
* Captain Vikram Batra of 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles died fighting Pakistan forces during the Kargil war in 1999 at the age of 24. He was awarded Param Vir Chakra posthumously. Captain Batra fondly called the Tiger of Drass, the Lion of Kargil, the Kargil hero and even Pakistanis called him Sher Shah after the ferocious warrior king of Medieval India. Going into battle, he had said “I will either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it”.
* Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey of 1/11 Gorkha Regiment attained martyrdom while defending motherland during Kargil war. He was awarded Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his audacious courage and leadership during Kargil war 1999.
* Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav of 18 Grenadiers was awarded highest military decoration, Param Vir Chakra, for his exception bravery and courage displayed during Kargil war 1999 . In an interview with media, he expressed that a soldier does not think twice before risking his life.
* Rifleman Sanjay Kumar of 13 JAK Rifle is the youngest of the three surviving Param Vir Chakra awardees. He displayed exceptional courage in wiping out an enemy bunker single handedly during Kargil War.
* Major Rajesh Adhikari of 18 Grenadiers displayed exemplary valour in recapturing Tololing, where he was engaged in direct combat with enemy soldiers and suffered serious bullet injuries to which he succumbed beyond enemy lines. He was the second army officer to be martyred in Kargil war. He was posthumously awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery.
* Major Vivek Gupta of 2 Rajputana Rifles was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for his inspiring leadership and bravery that ultimately led to the capture of Toliling Top during Kargil war.
* Captain N Kenguruse of ASC 2 Raj Rifle took responsibility of the daring commando mission of attacking a well sited enemy machine gun position, on a cliff face, which was heavily interfering with all the approaches to the main objective of the Battalion and single handedly neutralized enemy position and for his act of daring bravery, he was posthumously awarded Maha Vir Chakra.
* Lieutenant Keishing Clifford Nongrum of 12 JAK LI was posthumously awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his courage and bravery in leading his column over the nearly impossible vertical cliff feature. He fought valiantly until he succumbed to his injuries.
* Lieutenant Balwan Singh of 18 Grenadiers was the youngest officer with three months service to undertake his task with single minded determination. The inspirational leader of the officer, his courage, and his bravery was instrumental in capture of Tiger Hill. He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his courage and bravery.
* Naik Digendra Kumar of 2 RAL RIF was the commander of the light Machine gun Group during asssualt on the Tololing feature on Drass Sector. It was his bravery and courage that the Assault Group was able to capture the objective. He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest military decoration in 1999.
* These are the stories of some of the Kargil Heroes who fought the battle with bravery and courage and made India proud. Their sacrifice will never be forgettable and therefore, Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on 26 July to commemorate the sacrifices made by the soldiers in the Kargil war. They are the guardians of our freedom and it is well said that “Freedom is never Free”.
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