We have seen Cine heroes donning role of Army Jawans and applaud them too – you may not
instantly identify this good looking man – he is the real hero !
In our history books, we have read about 3 battles of Panipat, Plassey,
Arcot and more …..will we ever read of Tololing or even Kargil ! ~ on every 26th
of July, I circulate something on Kargil – this year it is done a day in
advance !
The
Battle of Tololing was one of the pivotal battles in the Kargil War between
India's armed forces and troops from the Northern Light Infantry aided by other
Pakistan backed irregulars in 1999. The Tololing is a dominant position
overlooking the Srinagar - Leh Highway (NH 1D) and was a vital link. The Indian
army's casualties on the Tololing peak were half of the entire losses in the
whole war. Much of the losses had to do with the nature of the terrain as World
War I style frontal charges had to be mounted to reclaim the peaks to dislodge
the intruders. The 3 week assault finally culminated with India taking control
of the peak and changing the course of the war. 23 Indian Soldiers were killed
in the final assault, resulting in one of the costliest battles of the entire
war.
We
have National Holidays; We celebrate
important days for the Nation including The Independence Day (Aug 15th
) Republic Day (26th Jan) –
we recall the birth and death days of important National leaders. A day
more important than most of them is … 26th
July…. The Kargil Diwas.. in very many countries,
Victory day is a much celebrated day commemorating the victory in an
important battle for the honour of the
Nation.
On that
sad day, a sea of humanity poured out on the streets of Noida bidding farewell to
Lt Vijayant Thapar, "hero of operation Vijay", who laid down his
life, along with two other officers and 17 jawans, in the Dras sub- sector of
Kargil on the night of June 28-29- 1999. Tens Of thousands of people - a
majority of them unknown to the bereaved family – the young hero Vijyant after getting commissioned on Dec'98
joined the 2 Rajputana Rifles at Gwalior. The battalion stayed barely for a
month before they move to Kashmir to check counter insurgency. He died young for the Nation, for providing a
comfortable life for You and Me.
Great
People – Country must remember the Names -
: Captain
Anuj Nayyar, Captain Amol Kalia, Captain Manoj Pande, Captain P.V.Vikram,
Captain Vikram Batra, Deputy Commander Sukhbir Singh Yadav, Driver-Soldier
Gopinath Moharana, Flight Engineer Raj
Kishore Sahoo, Grenadiar Amardeep, Grenadiar Bajinder Singh Naik Surjeet Singh,
Naik Subedar Lal Chand, Naik Vikram Singh, Naik Yoginder Singh, Rifleman Ansuya
Prasad Dhayani, Rifleman Bachan Singh, Subedar Sumer Singh Rathore, Squadron
Leader Ajay Ahuja, Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir, Squadron Leader Lal Singh,
Squadron Leader Ojha, Zrfn Man Singh,
Kaushal Yadav – all should feature in the history books of the school
curriculum. The illustrious list is not
full only some of those 527 heroes who sacrificed their future for protecting
the honour of the Nation….. yes these are only some of the names of Indian jawans
and officers who made the supreme sacrifice in the battle field of Kargil.
The
Indian Army observes July 26 as Vijay Diwas every year to commemorate the
sacrifices of its soldiers and also celebrate its victory in the 60-day-long
Kargil War in 1999. Kargil Vijay Diwas, is the day
of successful completion of Operation Vijay. On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of
the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. The Kargil war
was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July. This did result in the loss of lives but not
the honour of the Nation.
The
town of Kargil is located 205 km from Srinagar, and faces Pakistan's so-called
Northern Areas across the Line of Control. From April 1999, the Pakistan Army
along with elements of Mujahadeen (irregulars) crossed the 168km Line of
Control (LoC), along Kargil and occupied high ground and vantage points. The
intrusion was announced by the Indian Army by May 7-8 and had come as a
complete surprise to the military as well as intelligence agencies. Though IAF was inducted, it was emphasised
that the IAF must not cross the LoC. The
tide turned from the middle of June 1999. At this time, the areas of occupation
became known. The Army was now in a position to make an attack plan versus the
target systems. As a consequence, the Air Force was able to coordinate with the
Army the "close Air support" requirements.
In
the final analysis, Kargil was a military, diplomatic and political success for
India. However, the loss of nearly 500 military men and over 1,100 serious
casualties, subdues the success. During this Kargil Diwas, we must remember
those great uniformed personnel who gave
their today for our tomorrow.
On 28
June 1999 Captain Vijyant Thapar was commanding the leading platoon of Alfa
Company, which was tasked to assault area Knoll in Drass Sector from the north
during Operation Vijay While advancing, the platoon was hit by accurate enemy
artillery barrage and it suffered heavy casualties. Captain Thapar organized
evacuation of the casualties and quickly rallied his shell-shocked platoon for
the attack. Personally leading the attack from the Northern face against
enemy's Medium Machine Gun fire, which was holding up the Company's assault, he
fearlessly charged at the enemy position firing from the hip and throwing
grenades. During this act, he was grievously injured in the hand and stomach
but continued to advance ordering his men to follow him. Roused by the actions
of their young Platoon Commander barely out of the Academy, the platoon charged
up the hill against the dominating enemy position. This audacious action
unnerved and forced the enemy to abandon a tactically superior position. The
officer, however, succumbed to his injuries.
Captain
Vijyant Thapar, [the real hero] displayed remarkable cool, raw courage and
exemplary valour and made the supreme sacrifice while facing the enemy. He was
posthumously awarded Vir Chakra. Smt. Sumitra
Devi, grandmother of Late. Capt. Vijyant Thapar received the Vir Chakra on
behalf of her grandson, at the Defence Investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati
Bhawan. Every time we see an Army Jawan, it is our duty to salute them.
Today, is
the time, we remember the martyrs of Kargil. Jai Jawan, Jai Hind………
Saluting the Warriors saving our Nation….
With
Great respect to Soldiers – S. Sampathkumar.
25th
July 2015.
Photos
and inputs taken from : http://www.captainvijyantthapar.com
You always remembered the solders and told us about their achievements. At this time you have an opportunity to avail the Furniture Moving Services in Stamford CT and get more service.
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