Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 – Remembering the Odia Martyrs

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 – Remembering the Odia Martyrs

The scourge of Pakistan’s nefarious designs has time and again been thwarted by the valiant and swift action of the Indian armed forces. While today the cash-strapped western neighbour of India is no longer in a position to launch a conventional war on India, there had been times in the past where our soldiers had to remain on alert for any imminent threat to the western frontiers of Kashmir with whatever limited facilities they had. This was a time when accessibility and military technology were not what it is today. There were not many helipads, road infrastructure, drones or advanced weaponry. Under these trying conditions our jawans fought the intruders from Pakistan at Kargil, claiming strategic hilltops to finally acquire victory on 26th July, 1999 – otherwise known as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

As many as 527 Indian soldiers lost their lives fighting in the treacherous mountains of Kargil along with nearly 1300 soldiers who sustained injuries. The victory at Kargil was hard fought and its portrait etched forever in the canvas of time, drenched with the blood of soldiers who made their supreme sacrifice. Today after 25 years of the victory, its pivotal role in instilling a sense of pride and patriotism in both the Indian army and ordinary citizens cannot be forgotten. Kargil Vijay Diwas gives us a chance to commemorate the trials and tribulations in the life of a soldier, show our gratitude for their sacrifice, and honour their indomitable spirit. On the 25th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, My City Links in this article commemorates Odisha’s martyred heroes in the war.

Stories of Heroism of few Odia Martyrs

There were 8 martyrs in the Kargil war who belonged to Odisha. These eight martyrs served in different positions in armed forces and the air force, who lost their lives while rendering their services in the line of duty. Their names are etched in the Kargil War Memorial, built by the Indian Army in Dras, near the city of Kargil. For the family members and relatives of the martyrs, the Kargil War Memorial is nothing short of a holy site of pilgrimage, that honours the contributions of these bravehearts.

One of the first names that comes forth when remembering Odia martyrs is that of Major Padmapani Acharya MVC of 2 Rajputana Rifles battalion. Born in an Air Force Family, his family was originally from Odisha. His father acted as an inspiration for him to join and serve in the Indian Army. His battalion was inducted into the Drass area on 4th June 1999. After Pakistan’s intrusion into the winter vacated posts of the Indian army, the Indian Army initiated Operation Vijay to evict them. To maintain pressure on the enemy, capturing the three pimple ridges, also known as the Black Rock Complex, was of strategic importance as it dominated the national highway, Drass town and Sando valley. 

The Black Rock complex consisted of Three Pimples, Lone Hill, Knoll and Kajal and bifurcated into two spur lines. An operational plan to capture the region was made by the Indian army. In the process of executing the plan the battalion suffered severe casualties.  Major Padmapani Acharya as 'A' Company Commander, had the formidable task of capturing an enemy position which was heavily fortified, strongly held and covered with mines and sweeping machine gun and artillery fire. Despite severe casualties, with utter disregard for personal safety, Major Padmapani Acharya led his reserve platoon of company through the enemy’s raining artillery shells. Major Acharya fought bravely, launching grenades and advancing ahead, despite severe injuries. He ordered his men to leave him and advance further till the objective was met.  The enemy position was finally over-run and the objective was captured, but Maj Acharya succumbed to injuries. Maj Padmapani Acharya was awarded nation’s second highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra” on 15 August 2000, posthumously, for his outstanding bravery, unfaltering leadership, and supreme sacrifice. 

Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu of the 152 Squadron’s Helicopter Unit, lost his life along with his crew members while combating the intruders on air. The Indian Air Force had been given the task of evicting the Pakistani intruders from Uri, Batallik and Drass sectors. These intruders carried lethal anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles. On May 28, Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu was flying as a Flight Engineer of a Mi-17 helicopter, piloted by Flt Lt Muhilan during an attack mission against ground positions strongly held by Pakistani infiltrators in the Drass sector. The Mi-17 helicopter repeatedly carried out attacks in the face of fierce enemy opposition in the form of ground fire and missiles. The helicopter, unfortunately, got hit by a US made Surface-to-Air missile of the intruders. There was no time with the crew for making any emergency manoeuvres, as the entire crew, including Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu, died after the helicopter crash. Due to his exemplary courage and dedication, Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu was given the Vayu Sena Medal of the Indian Air Force. Hailing from Cuttack, he served in many Air Force stations across the length and breadth of India and was posted in both Mi-8 and Mi-17 squadrons besides working on the technical maintenance team for MiG-27 aircraft at a forward fighter base in the eastern region.

Some other Unforgettable Names

While the two names mentioned before were awarded posthumously, the other Odia martyrs, who lost their lives on the battlefield, also need to be remembered, whenever the name of Kargil war comes up. In their places of origin, they are veritable superheroes, whose memorials inspire the local youth to take up service of the nation with dedication and patriotism. Their monuments are garlanded every year, cleaned, maintained and worshipped by loving family members. One such martyr is Havildar Gangaram Das of Harida village in Balasore. Gangaram’s father, who was also in the military, inspired him to join the army. His family, in his memory, have made a stone bust monument of Gangaram and are very proud of his martyrdom. 

Another martyr Naik Srinivas S. Patra, had to bid adieu to his family, 3 days after the solemnization of his marriage, on the call of duty for fighting in the Kargil war. Naik Srinivas, who hails from Ganjam was martyred during the mopping up of Tiger hill, to never return to his family. Naik Sachidananda Mallick, who hails from Kandiahata village of Kendrapada, lost his life fighting the intruders. Survived by his wife and son, Naik Mallick is an inspiration to his son. Similarly, Gopinath Moharanna, who hails from Janardanpur village in Cuttack district, was martyred at the age of 23, while operating as the driver of 528 ASC Battalion due to coming in the firing line of the enemy. Despite being struck by multiple bullets, Gopinath was able to drive his battalion till its desired destination. 

Signalman Manas Ranjan Sahu, who belonged to Corps of Signal, hailed from Angul. He was killed on June 7, 1999 in shelling while he was repairing the communication lines. Bhadrak Chandbali’s Niranjan Behera lost his life in the mountains trying to save his motherland from intrusion. Through all these years, to his family members, he has remained as a source of pride and inspiration. The annual commemoration of Kargil Vijay Diwas is an occasion to know these stories of bravery and martyrdom of the jawans, so that their sacrifice remains in the hearts of fellow countrymen.