Tiger of Drass!




 I watched "Gunjan Saxena-The Kargil girl" on OTT, a few months ago. I was saddened to realize that I didn't know much about such patriotic heroes of our country.

I was always interested in the heroes (that are projected so, in our minds) of the film world, tracking their lavish lives, the grandeur, which was absolutely a waste of time, I concluded.

I decided to educate myself, some more, about these unsung heroes, who are the real celebrities of India.



I dedicate this blog to one such Tiger - Tiger of Drass(Kargil), Captain Anuj Nayyar.

Captain Anuj, born on 28th August 1975, grew up in Delhi. He studied in Army Public School. He was an avid volleyball player and a long distance runner too. Also, good in academics, he was a deep patriot since young age. He always wanted to join the Army.



  I always think, these people who are so keen on serving our country, are molded from a different type of clay!




Captain Anuj joined National Defence Academy (Echo Squadron, there are 18 such Squadrons in NDA). Later he was commissioned into 17th Battalion, Jat Regiment (17 Jat).






In 1999, Indian Army detected a massive infiltration by Pakistani forces. Pakistani military and paramilitary forces infiltrated in Kargil region of Jammu & Kashmir. 17 Jat was one of the battalions deployed there. The Mushkoh valley's strategic peak Pimple II, on the western slopes of Tiger hill, Point 4875, was to be secured by the battalion. This peak is nearly 16000 feet above sea level. It has extremely steep slopes and the mission was considered near impossible without aerial support.




  Even while reading, I got goosebumps, how can these soldiers be so brave to take on unattainable challenges?




Captain Anuj was second-in-command of the C Coy (Charlie Company), 17 Jat.They decided to secure the peak without waiting for aerial assistance.



There was an attack of raining mortar and automatic fire from above. In the initial phase of assault, the commander was injured. Now the command devolved on Captain Anuj. The icy slopes of the peak were 80 degree steep. Due to the thick fog, it was even more precarious.



Enemy bunker locations were reported. They split into 2 teams, one led by Captain Anuj and other by Captain Vikram Batra. The teams started attacking ferociously.
Captain Anuj moved forward, hand to hand combating and destroyed the first enemy bunker, with rocket launcher and grenades. He proceeded and silenced 2 more machine gun bunkers, along with the lead section of 7 personnel. He single handedly took down 9 Pakistani soldiers. Now, the assault on last bunker was left. While clearing it, this gritty soldier got hit directly by enemy RPG (Rocket Propelled Gun).
Next morning, India recaptured Pimple complex of Tiger hill.




Captain Anuj's gallantry and tenacity, at the age of 23, is meritorious indeed!
For conspicuous bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy,  Captain Anuj Nayyar was posthumously awarded "Maha Vir Chakra".



On this Kargil Vijay Diwas, I am honored to write about this hero of war. And more so, pay my respect to him.



JUI.



   AUTHOR'S NOTE:
 In Captain Anuj's letter to his father he had made a promise which he lived up to -

" I am not that irresponsible, that I will die without fulfilling my duties for the country.My army and this country has put so much faith in me, it would be a mistake to think of death at this time. Till the enemy is there, I will keep breathing".


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