Stories of Kargil heroes: Looking back at sacrifices and courage of the bravehearts of 1999 war

Captain Saurabh Kalia, 4 Jat Regiment

Lt Saurabh Kalia and five soldiers of the 4 Jat Regiment — Sepoys Arjun Ram, Bhanwar Lal Bagaria, Bhika Ram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh — were taken into custody by Pakistani soldiers on 15 May 1999 while they were on patrol duty along the Bajrang Post in the Kaksar sector.

Kidnapped for 24 days, they were brought back on 9 June, bearing evidence of having suffered brutal torture: cigarette burns, perforated ear-drums, gouged eyes, shattered bones, amputated limbs and genitalia, and gunshots to the head.

This ghastly episode offered the first evidence of Pakistani incursion beyond the Line of Control in Kargil. Lt Kalia's gruesome killing became an icon of the war's brutality and his ultimate sacrifice.

His father, Narendra Kalia, has been fighting for justice since long, moving the Supreme Court to persuade the government to bring the issue before the International Court of Justice, on the basis of Geneva Convention violations. Although there were several hearings, the matter has not been settled.

Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles 

A valiant commander, Captain Vikram Batra was the very soul of Operation Vijay's spirit. In the battle for Point 5140, he led his men on May 7, 1999 in a conspicuous charge uphill, and he himself killed five enemy soldiers. His radio call sign — "Yeh Dil Maange More" — became a battle cry for the nation. A few days later, when the village was retaken and Point 4875 was recaptured, Batra was martyred in action after reporting mission success. His valour was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra posthumously and forever held in esteem by a grateful country.

Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers

Just 19 at the time, Yadav had been part of the Tiger Hill raid. Under heavy firing by the enemy, he climbed up a near-vertical face of rock on July 3, 1999 to destroy enemy bunkers even though he sustained several bullet wounds in the shoulder and abdomen. He destroyed the first enemy bunker, allowing his platoon to climb further. Refusing to retreat, he continued fighting, destroyed another bunker and killed three enemy soldiers and encouraged his platoon to take the peak. His act of selflessness and bravery earned him the Param Vir Chakra, which made him one of the youngest recipients.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles

In a battle for a key ridge in the Mushkoh Valley on July 4, 1999, Rifleman Kumar stormed a lone enemy bunker. On reaching the summit, he came under heavy fire from an enemy bunker. He fought a face-to-face battle and killed three intruders, despite being seriously injured. The enemy panicked and abandoned a machine gun. He used the captured enemy machine gun to kill others. His fearless action inspired his comrades to break the enemy defence and led to Indian victory, for which he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, 11 Gorkha Rifles 

Given the task of clearing Khalubar Ridge in Batalik on July 3, 1999, Captain Pandey launched a frontal assault on enemy bunkers. As his company advanced, they faced heavy enemy fire. He attacked with determination, destroying two enemy bunkers and killing four soldiers. Despite injuries to his shoulder and legs, he pressed on, eliminating more positions. He sustained fatal wounds while leading his comrades to victory. His determination not to yield to impending death was rewarded with a posthumous Param Vir Chakra.

Captain Anuj Nayyar, 17 Jat Regiment

While storming Pimple II on July 6, 1999, Captain Nayyar led from the front during intense fire. His company was pinned down by devastating enemy fire. Casualties mounted, and hesitation could have cost lives. Nayyar assessed the situation, then moved with a resolve that left no room for doubt. Leading from the front, he personally eliminated three enemy bunkers using grenades and close combat skills. As machine gun bursts tore into the rocks around him, he pressed on to destroy a fourth bunker. A rocket-propelled grenade struck him in that final act of defiance, claiming his life in an instant. His mother would later recall that he was never one to pick fights, but always one to protect. His gallantry altered the outcome of the battle and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.

Major Rajesh Adhikari, 18 Grenadiers

Major Adhikari during the initial Tololing attack on June 1, 1999, led by putting himself in the face of the enemy to bring his men ahead. He moved across open ground in a daring manoeuvre, drawing enemy fire away from his men. With calm precision, he neutralised a key bunker before a burst of enemy fire struck him down. He was heavily wounded after eliminating a key bunker, but his bravery played an important role in retaking the post. With calm precision, he neutralised a key bunker before a burst of enemy fire struck him down. His sacrifice galvanised his troops, who went on to capture the position shortly after. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.

Lieutenant Keishing Clifford Nongrum, 12 JAK LI

A son of Meghalaya, Lt. Nongrum led his men on Point 4812. Pinned down by heavy fire, Clifford surged forward without hesitation. He hurled grenades with unerring accuracy, silencing one bunker after another. Even when injured, he refused evacuation, determined to see the mission through. A bullet in his abdomen ended his life, but not before he inspired his men to storm the peak and claim victory. He was martyred at the age of 24 during the operation but left behind a legacy of bravery, given the Maha Vir Chakra award posthumously. His father would later recall Clifford’s words: “If I die, at least it will be as a soldier.” Today, his name is a legend in Shillong and across the North East, a son of the hills whose blood sanctified the snows of Kargil.

Major Vivek Gupta, 2 Rajputana Rifles

Major Gupta led a raid into Tololing at midnight.  . On 13 June 1999, his company launched an assault under the cover of darkness. The capture of Tololing was a defining moment in the Kargil War, and Major Gupta’s leadership made it possible. Already wounded, Vivek pressed forward, neutralising a key enemy position that had stalled the advance. Another burst of fire struck him fatally, but not before he created a breach that his troops used to break through and seize the peak.. His leadership paved the way for a crucial Indian victory and earned him the Maha Vir Chakra award posthumously.

Captain Vijyant Thapar, 2 Rajputana Rifles

Only 22, Captain Thapar displayed valour and compassion. In June 1999, his battalion launched an assault on Knoll in the Dras sector, a heavily fortified peak. Leading from the front, Vijyant motivated his men under relentless enemy fire, eliminating multiple bunkers in close combat. Even after sustaining injuries, he pushed forward, only to be struck by a sniper’s bullet just metres from the objective. His actions paved the way for a decisive victory. In a letter to his family, he had penned, "By the time you get this letter, I will be observing you all from the sky. I have no regrets." He was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra. His words, like his sacrifice, continue to inspire generations and remind us that true heroism is measured not just in battle but in the grace with which one embraces duty.