Sat Jul 26 03:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Kargil War Hero Vikram Batra’s Father Remembers Son’s Valor on Kargil Vijay Diwas
**Chandigarh:** On Kargil Vijay Diwas, the father of Captain Vikram Batra, a hero of the 1999 Kargil War, reminisced about his son’s bravery and unwavering dedication to the nation. In an exclusive interview, Girdhari Lal Batra shared that June 17, 1999, was a day of immense pride as Vikram successfully recaptured Peak 5140 from enemy forces.
“He called me that morning, around 7 am, and said ‘Daddy, I have recaptured… Don’t worry, we have won back Peak 5140 which the enemy had occupied’,” Mr. Batra recalled. These were among the last words he heard from his son.
Captain Batra, known for his famous slogan “Yeh Dil Maange More!” (“This heart wants more!”), had expressed his desire to continue fighting and drive the enemy out completely. According to his father, even after neutralizing seven enemy soldiers, destroying bunkers, and seizing an anti-aircraft gun on Peak 5140, Vikram felt driven to keep fighting.
Mr. Batra highlighted Vikram’s childhood fascination with national heroes like Bhagat Singh, Veer Shivaji, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, which fueled his passion for serving the country. His exposure to army officers during his schooling in Kendriya Vidyalaya further solidified his ambition to join the armed forces.
While Mr. Batra himself couldn’t fulfill his dream of becoming an army officer due to health reasons, he said Vikram realized that aspiration by joining the army. He described Vikram as fearless and determined, with the sole aim of securing victory and liberating the motherland from the enemy.
Despite the pain of losing his son, Mr. Batra stated that the family found solace in the understanding that “great sacrifices are necessary to achieve great things.” The legacy of Captain Vikram Batra, a symbol of courage and patriotism, continues to inspire generations.
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