4 Heroes Of The Kargil War You Have Never Heard Of But Should Know
Captain Jerry Prem Raj was tasked with launching an assault on the Twin Bumps in the Drass sector. He was hit by enemy fire but disregarded his own safety and continued to bring effective fire on the enemy. His bravery ensured the enemy suffered high casualties and helped minimise losses to his own force. For his leadership and courage Capt Ghidiyal was awarded the Vir Chakra.
While we have all heard of the Anuj Nayyars, Vikram Batras and Yogender Yadavs of the Kargil War, there were others whose raw courage and steely resolve gave India a decisive victory. One such battle was fought for the capture of Tiger Hill. Here are the heroes you have never heard of.
Captain Jerry Prem Raj was tasked with launching an assault on the Twin Bumps in the Drass sector. He was able to positively identify the enemy position and directed accurate artillery fire on to it. During this, he was hit by enemy fire, but disregarded his own safety and continued to bring effective fire on the enemy. He was hit a second time by a volley of bullets and gravely injured. His bravery ensured the enemy suffered high casualties and helped minimise losses to his own force. In doing so he made the supreme sacrifice for which he was awarded the Vir Chakra.
Captain Shashi Bhushan Ghidiyal was the Artillery Observation Post Officer for Pimple 11 Complex. The Company Commander was injured and the second in command of the assaulting company was fatally wounded during the move to the objective when the troops were just 400 metres short of the goal. Showing his presence of mind and realising the critical situation, Captain Ghidiyal took control of the company and started directing troops. While doing so, he sustained gun shot wounds. Despite his injuries, he led his men to the objective and prevented the enemy counter attack. For his leadership and courage, Capt. Ghidiyal was awarded the Vir Chakra.
Subedar Raghunath Singh was the platoon commander of Delta Company of 13 JAK Rif, and was tasked to clear area Ledge beyond Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley. However the company was stalled due to heavy artillery shelling and firing from a well-fortified enemy all along the 700 metre long ledge. Seeing the gravity of situation, Subedar Raghunath Singh volunteered to lead his Company in a daring day-light mission. Showing indomitable spirit, raw courage and with determination beyond the call of duty, he led the charge of his platoon from the front and infused them with vengeance to overcome the resistance put up by the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand fight, he killed two intruders and kept firing on the fleeing enemy with utter disregard to his personal safety. His action was instrumental in maintaining the momentum of the assault and forcing the enemy to retreat. Thus, the strategically important area Ledge was captured due to his heroics. He was awarded the Vir Chakra.
Havildar Sis Ram Gill and his team were tasked with raiding the enemy post "Majnu", at over 17,000 feet altitude. He led the commando team from the front and scaled the almost unscalable height despite difficult and rugged terrain. He reached the objective facing intense enemy artillery and mortar fire. In doing so, he sustained a severe injury in the leg but continued to motivate his team and advance towards the objective. Undaunted, he himself fired sniper and LMG bursts at every opportunity resulting in the killing of one officer, two JCOs and three other ranks of the enemy. He also injured four others. In spite of being grievously injured, he refused to be evacuated knowing fully well that his evacuation will lead to mission failure due to reduction of fighting strength. He continued to fight valiantly showing utmost dedication to duty and self sacrifice, and ensured completion of the special mission task. He finally succumbed to his injuries on 9 July 1999. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for his gallantry in the face the enemy.
