Go to an Army station and you will be welcomed by many heroic quotes by the brave men who guards our frontiers. Never once have I not experienced a tinge of sadness and pain. The sacrifice that each of our soldiers, staying far away from their home and family cannot be compared with any other. For them the country comes first. Their call of duty comes first. Many have laid their lives for us, so that we can live in peace. Their courage and passion would make your chest swell in pride. Their indomitable spirit, determination and exceptional bravery while putting down the terrorists often leads to making the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
These are men of steel, standing tall in the harshest of conditions, whether it is the freezing cold temperatures in the Siachen Glaciers or the scorching heat, they are always present, remaining brave, awake and devoted towards us.
a. Capt. Vikram Batra
Captain Vikram Batra of 13 J&K Rifles also known as the hero of the Kargil war, had led one of the toughest war operations in Kashmir. He was also called Sher Shah , having been intercepted messages of the Pakistani army. His unit was sent to Kargil so as to recapture the Point 5140, a height of 17,000 feet which was of utmost importance to India. Soon after the success of his mission, he radioed his Commanding Officer to say,
“Yeh Dil Maange More..”
However, while saving a fellow soldier he was killed.
b. Capt. Harshan
Capt. Harshan from the Red Devil Unit of 2nd Battalion was killed in Kashmir while fighting with against Lashkar-e-Toiba militants. While leading a small team, he observed suspicious movement in Kaingur Nar MT-3245 and single-handedly killed two terrorists at point blank range. However, he had received gunshot on an encounter two weeks after the incident when the terrorists outnumbered him and his buddy. My senior from school and Dad’s favorite student, words fall short when I try to remember his cheerful face. The youngest recipient of Ashoka Chakra.
c. Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey
Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, led his men to capture the Jubar top during the Kargil War. Though he was hailed with bullets and was gravely injured, he killed the first two men in bunkers in hand combat. Three weeks later as part of Operation Vijay when he was asked to clear off the enemy positions, he was again injured by bullets firing on him, but only after killing four of the enemies. His last words were
“Don’t spare them..”
d. Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan from the NSG, was called in to battle the terrorists at the Taj, Mumbai on 26/11. He was the commander of the 51SAG and were engaged to rid the place of terrorists and rescue people kept as hostages. He survived two rounds of firing by the terrorists but was fearless even when he was losing his soldiers. He was selfless and went about with the sole aim of releasing the hostages. He was overpowered by the wounds of numerous bullets while fighting and engaging terrorists inside the Taj Palace during Operation Black Tornado. His last words were:
“Do not come up, I will handle them..”
e. Lt. Col. Niranjan Kumar
Lt. Col. Niranjan, the head of the elite NSG bomb squard, was assigned to a “mopping up procedure” on the encounter spot in the Air-base attack at Pathankot. He was fatally injured while defusing a live grenade from the body of a terrorist and was killed by grenade splinters and sharpnels. A dear friend, my husband’s course-mate, who spent years together with him as comrades-in-arms…. His mere thought chokes me up. I couldn’t stop my tears when I wrote about him. His last words were to his father:
“Dad! I am on an operation….”
I can go on and on.. and the list is unceasing. But, I’m down in the dumps. All I ask of you is to have all their families in your prayers.
I am Married to the Olive Green and I’m writing about the 26 things which I get to do/experience that you as a Civilian wife do not!
I hope you come back again tomorrow!
Meanwhile, here is an easy Chicken recipe from my Food Blog to try out!
I’m on co-host Pam’s Unconventional Alliance Team along with Parul from Happiness and Food, Rajlakshmi from The Twinkle Eyed Traveler andDestiny’s Child and Claire from A Field Trip Life
Cafenined Words says
This pose gave me goosebumps*
The kargil war mention in it ..
And its Heroes .
I have read about it from Brigadier Ajit Singh Shekgawat Sir voice, everything .
Salutes*
Yes they are our real hero*
leprechaunrabbit says
Heroes.
Yes, Dearie, the Heavens are filled with them!
I had the privilege to know, work and walk along side some while they were still the men and women among us.
As a medic, I tried to save two.
Every day, I miss them.
I miss them all.
Sir Leprechaunrabbit
@leprechaunrabbit
https://yourrootsareshowingdearie.wordpress.com/
RamyaRao says
We do pray for them and their families. A very touching post Shalzz.
sagarpillai says
They are real heros who gave their today for our tomorrow.!
Dahlia says
A big salute to these and all other brave hearts who think nothing of putting their lives in danger for us.
Pam Margolis (@Pamlovesbooks) says
it is the same, apparently, in all countries. heroes fight for the country and their loved ones rejoice when they return or mourn when they do not. Bless them all.
kalaravi16 says
Our heroes, God bless them and their families. Our peaceful daily lives are only thanks to their constant vigilance and sacrifice. Thanks for sharing about some of them.
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
BellyBytes says
Reading your post had me all choked up too. I actually cry every year when our heroes next of kin are given medals and citations during the Republic Day parade and find it impossible to talk when I’m at a war memorial. Thanks for reminding us of the sacrifices of these brave young men. Words are not enough to capture what they’ve really done
Shilpa Garg says
Our soldiers protect us at the borders in the harshest of conditions. They are the Real Heroes of our country! God bless these brave souls and their equally brave and strong families!
Ramya J S D'Rozario (@samantha_rjsdr) says
This choked me a little. Very well handled. Loved it. So necessary for everyone to know this, and not forget their contribution so easily.
Sulekha says
Respect! I salute these and all the brave men and women who are serving our country and keeping us safe. Your tribute moved me deeply, God bless.
fabulus1710 says
Heart-warming post, Shalini. And to know that you have had close contact with a few.
These men are the real heroes. They are immortal in the minds of those who respect and salute them for their sacrifice. Not everyone can be as patriotic as the Army force! And their families.. will surely keep them in my prayers, dear. 🙂
Shalini says
God bless them all, such brave hearts we have and thank you for introducing us to their lives so closely to make us think about them and their families. That quote …. I’ll come for sure made me emotional. God bless you and your family too :’)
@TirelessReader from
RandomRagas
Rajlakshmi says
And just today I saw a video on Indian Army family, and tears just started flowing involuntarily. Our Heroes are so young, just like you and me, even younger. It breaks my heart to even think what their families must be going through. Amazing post. Kudos to you for writing it.
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
inquisitivegeet says
And they are there in our prayers and will always be. It is the Army of our country who put forth their nation and their people first and makes us live the life we want to. No amount of thing can ever repay the sacrifice they make for us!
God bless you for bringing us close to the life of Army and having an insight about the bravery!
Cheers
Geets
Soumya Prasad says
And I just stood up and gave a sharp salute!
They deserve more than that though.
Reema D'souza (@ReemaMichelle) says
They do so much for us. Proud of each soldier. And yes we must not let their sacrifices go in vain. They will always remain in our prayers.
My Era says
Words can’t do justice to the sacrifices made by these national heroes to safeguard their motherland and to keep over a billion countrymen safe.
Parul Thakur says
The sense of duty, the love for nation and the scarifice these men and women make is unparalleled. Shalini – thank your for sharing! We wouldn’t be alive without them.
Vinay Leo R. says
You’ve written on it before and it has touched my heart now as it did then. 🙁 The first quote especially. I agree with Cafenined Words, they are our real heroes.
aseemrastogi2 says
Nothing but respect for each of the army men & women because of whom we are able to live a normal life and sleep peacefully at our houses each night. They are the real heroes who sacrifice everything just to keep our country safe. Really poignant post.