Palampur remembers its son, Kargil hero Capt Vikram Batra

Residents of Palampur today honoured the sacrifice of Kargil hero Captain Vikram Batra on his birth anniversary today.

Captain Batra sacrificed his life on July 7, 1999, at the age of 24, fighting Pakistani forces during the Kargil War.

Tributes were paid before his statue near the PWD rest house.

The statue was garlanded by many, including local politicians, members of Rotary clubs, and heads of social organisations.

Captain Batra was posthumously given the Param Vir Chakra. He became the face of soldiers’ resilience during Kargil, with his words ‘Yeh Dil Maange More…’ still remembered vividly.

Waging war at high altitudes is a daunting task. Kargil was a drawn-out battle. As the nation waited with bated breath, the Indian flag fluttered firmly over Tiger Hill on the morning of July 4, 1999, and all of India celebrated. Operation Vijay was successful.

Born on September 9, 1974, in Palampur, Captain Batra was the third child of Girdhari Lal Batra, a government school principal, and Kamal Kanta Batra, a schoolteacher. Captain Batra fought gallantly, making the ultimate sacrifice for his country.