Jammu, July 7:
Army Commander Northern Command, Lt. Gen YK Joshi paid homage to captain Vikram Batra from ‘The Sky’. On 7 July 1999, Captain Vikram Batra, a young and brave officer who had caught the fancy of the nation and become the icon of Indian Army Officer spirit by his success signal during capture of Pt 5140; “Dil Maange More”, made the supreme sacrifice but not before capturing Pt 4875 now christened as Batra Top.
To commemorate his “Balidan Diwas”; his then Commanding Officer and now GOC-in-C, Northern Command overflew “Batra Top” in a Sukhoi-30 MKI.
This gesture epitomises the enduring relation between a Commanding Officer and his officer. Lt Gen YK Joshi, paid homage to his fallen comrade from the sky, an apt recognition of IAF’s contribution to the ground operations in Operation Vijay.
Capt Batra continues to motivate the present generation of officers and would do so in perpetuity.
It is most befitting that his gallant action be commemorated by his then Commanding Officer of 13 JAK RIF whose contribution to the war effort were recognised by award of VrC for exceptional leadership in face of the adversary.
