Kolkata, July 27 (IANS) Was Captain Kanad Bhattacharya the first Indian Army officer to make the supreme sacrifice in the Kargil War? A search mentions Captain Saurabh Kalia as the first one to do so. However, Captain Kalia was captured on May 15, 1999, and tortured in captivity by the Pakistan Army for 22 days, while Captain Bhattacharya died on May 21.
The debate was ignited on July 25, when glowing tributes were paid to Captain Bhattacharya on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas in Kolkata. That his mortal remains could only be recovered after the end of the war could be a reason why this Army officer from West Bengal has not made it to the list of the first to have given up their lives for the nation at Kargil.
The young officer from the 8th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment was posted to his unit deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, soon after his commissioning. His battalion, by that time was actively involved in the goings-on in Kargil.
Amid the growing reports of large-scale Pakistani infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil, Captain Bhattacharya’s unit was deployed in the strategically significant Tiger Hill sector.
By the third week of May, these reports were confirmed, revealing a well-coordinated intrusion across multiple sectors, including the heights dominating the Tiger Hill area — one of the most critical battlegrounds of the Kargil War.
On May 21, Captain Bhattacharya was assigned a crucial and high-risk mission. He was to establish a foothold on a northeastern ridge near Tiger Hill. The ridge was covered in deep snow and was virtually inaccessible.
The terrain was treacherous and visibility was poor. It was the scout Sepoy Major Singh who first detected suspicious movement.
It soon became clear that a group of heavily armed intruders was descending towards their position. Before Captain Bhattacharya had the time to take evasive action, the enemy opened fire with heavy automatic weapons and sniper rifles, attempting to pin down the patrol.
The young Army officer quickly assessed the situation, divided his patrol into two groups and skillfully positioned them to engage the enemy from different directions. His men were at a distinct disadvantage as the enemy was at an higher altitude, but the Indian soldiers returned fire effectively, disrupting the movement of the Pakistani troops.
Outnumbered and outgunned, Captain Bhattacharya and his men fought with remarkable courage and determination, refusing to yield ground.
Even after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, the young officer continued to lead from the front, inspiring his troops to hold their positions and keep up the counterattack. Several members of the patrol were critically injured.
Captain Bhattacharya eventually succumbed to his injuries on the battlefield at the age of 22.
The patrol could not return due to the intensity of the conflict and the harsh terrain and it was the declared missing in action on May 21, 1999. It was only after Tiger Hill was captured by Indian troops that the area could be thoroughly searched.
On July 15, 1999, the mortal remains of Captain Bhattacharya were recovered from the snow-covered battlefield, bringing closure to the story. He was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal (SM) for gallantry of his conspicuous courage, indomitable fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of the enemy.
Nearly 500 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets participated in a silent march to the Prinsep Memorial on the bank of the Hooghly in Kolkata on Saturday evening.
What followed was a candlelight vigil for this brave warrior from the city. A solemn programme followed in which tributes were paid to all soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
–IANS
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