Movies and serials have been made on his life. Capt Vikram Batra, winner of India’s highest gallantry award the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously, has been immortalised in the public imagination for his bravery and sacrifice but as his commanding officer, YK Joshi, then a Lt Col, later Lt Gen and Northern Army Commander, recounts it was the line chosen by Vikram Batra as his victory signal that became more famous.
As Joshi remembers, he asked two young officers, Vikram Batra and Capt SS Jamwal before they were to lead the attacks about their possible victory signals.
Jamwal told Joshi he wants to use the line ‘oh ya ya ya.’ Asked to elaborate, Jamwal told him that this was the slogan used by the Hunter Squadron in the National Defence Academy and since he belonged to that squadron, he wanted to use it. Joshi gave him the go ahead.
As he turned to Vikram Batra, the young Captain said he will use the line, ‘ Dil maange more.’
Joshi was amused but allowed both of them to finalise those two lines as success signals. Rest is history.
Vikram Batra is now forever identified with the line Dil maange more!
However there was much more to the operation than slogans.
As Lt Gen Joshi explains, the number of innovations that he had to experiment in trying to gain advantage over the well-perched, well-armed enemy.
Trying to use Milan (anti-tank) and Igla (surface-to-air) missiles in the mountains and how finally direct firing by Bofors guns did the job. That he led from the front and was right up there much like other COs, helped keep the morale up.
The ultimate capture of Pt 4875 and 5140 by 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK Rif) under Joshi’s command is etched in everyone’s memory.
Apart from Vikram Batra, Hav Sanjay Kumar was also awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery.
Speaking in Mushkoh Valley and at the base of 4875, Lt Gen Joshi recalls those tumultuous weeks to transport us back a quarter century ago that had the nation worried as well as enthralled because of the brave Indian soldiers and their heroics.
Watch the previous episodes from the ‘Kargil: 25 Years On’ series here:
Part I: How Batalik Was Won
Part II: The Tololing, Tiger Hill Turning Points
Part III: Why Pakistan Launched
Part IV: Artillery-Infantry Winning Combo In Kargil
