Yeh Dil Maange More

While that uniform might scream a salute, a man wearing that has the responsibility of his entire country on his shoulders. Freezing temperatures, blood-soaked hands, bullets scraping their way through the skin, and the roar of the enemies, all that the uniform endures are more than enough to scare anybody. But not Vikram Batra.

Vikram Batra: When The King Of The Jungle Comes In His Attire; Image Source: Stars Unfolded

It was the summer of 1999 when a deadly war broke between the Indian and Pakistan Army. The land of Kargil got shook with terror and soaked with blood. Many brave hearts stopped beating and hundreds of bodies tumbled down the hills lifelessly, but not without the final fight.

18 years have passed since then but the void of those brave hearts could not be filled. The tales of unparalleled courage and undeterred determination still flows in the air. Among these brave hearts, there was a man whose smile lit the entire atmosphere of the army base, whose jokes made everyone laugh their hearts out, whose hands when filled with weapons made him the unparalleled Sher Shah of the team, he was none other than Vikram Batra.

A fun-loving guy, Batra was that popular kid of the clan who was everyone’s favourite. Starting from studies to sports, he was an all-rounder in all the fields. Even at a very early age, he was given the title of the best NCC cadet of North India. Be it table tennis or karate, his hands mastered every art with perfection.

Joining NCC was not only an activity for him but a start for something more intense than ‘Left-Right-Left’. An ardent fan of the army, Vikram wanted to make himself fit for the same. After completing his education, he decided to go for the CDS exam. Though his parents didn’t want him to live the life of uncertainty, Batra was more than ready to live the adventurous life, enjoying and possibly dodging every obstacle that came with it.

Preparing for the CDS exam for one whole year, Batra finally cracked the exam in 1996. Though he was happy to pass the exam with flying colours, his happiness knew no bounds when he finally entered the campus of the Indian Military Academy.

With the uniform of his dreams finally adorning his muscled body, a cap of honour sitting proudly on his head, and military boots under his feet making a sophisticated sound, Vikram was ready to conquer the world.

During his initial years, he was commissioned as a lieutenant and then he posted in a small town of Jammu and Kashmir called Sapore. It was the dreadful year of 1999 when the news of the Kargil War spread like wildfire in the entire country. With Indians and Pakistanis on the verge of cutting each other’s throat, the army men very well knew that nothing could stop the war except a well-planned fight.

During this time, Vikram left for his home to celebrate Holi with them after completing his training at Belgaum. One fine evening when he headed towards his favourite coffee shop, he met his friend. They had a soul-to-soul conversation.

“The war has begun, who knows when you will be asked to go, you better be careful”, said Vikram’s friend. “Don’t worry. I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it, but I will come for sure”, was Vikram’s reply to his friend’s concerned words.

Soon after this conversation, Vikram’s unit got their call to move to Kargil. Bidding his family adieu for the last time, Batra reported for duty on June 1, 1999. Fighting their way through the enemies and rocky terrains, the team was ordered to recapture Point 5140. When they finally reached there, Vikram saw that the enemies had an upper hand because of their height. After a meticulous planning, the entire team showered unstoppable assaults on the Pakistani troops. Hours after the fight, enemies lost their lives, and victory fell in the hands of the Indians.

It was on 20 June when Vikram’s father received a call. With shaky hands, he picked up the call. An unclear voice spoke from the other end, “Daddy, I’ve captured the enemy’s post. I’m OK, I’m OK.” “Beta, I’m proud of you. May God bless you to carry on your task”, replied his relieved father with sobs erupting from his throat. That being his final assurance, Vikram never called again

The call for their next operation came immediately. Termed as one of the most dangerous and difficult operations of Kargil, the capture of Point 4875 was standing at a height of 17000 feet. With enemies already waiting for the Indian Army at the height of 16000 feet, the icy slopes and thick fog made the situation even more precarious.

After hours of torturous climb, Vikram and his team finally reached their peak. The enemies were already aware that Sher Shah aka Vikram Batra and his team have arrived. Everyone was aware of the young Sher’s powers. Taking precautions, the Pakistani troops started attacking them with grenades and automatic fire. Vikram too counter-attacked along with another officer, Anuj Nayyar. Together, they engaged in hand-to-hand combat, killing the enemies and clearing the bunkers.

When the mission was on the verge of completion, a junior officer injured his legs in an explosion. Rushing out of the bunker, Vikram rescued the soldier even after continuous requests not to do so. Batra said, “You have children, step aside. Let me handle.”

Hurling grenades and firing bullets, he was able to kill a lot of soldiers. When he was about to lift an injured soldier, a loud gun short pierced through the thick fog. Everything went silent when a body suddenly fell on the ground. Lifting his hands to his chest, Vikram took his last breath as his eyes closed forever.

At Vikram’s funeral, his grief-stricken mother said, “Maybe there was a reason why God gave me twins - one he had marked for the country and one for me.”