Meena Nayyar - The Tiger of Drass: Anuj Nayyar, 23, Kargil Hero

Dedicated

to

Prof. S.K. Nayyar

A father, a friend and a mentor to Captain Anuj Nayyar, MVC, he shaped him into the fearless soldier he became in Kargil. His contribution to Anujs life is as memorable as the story of his brave son.

Wars are fought by nations but won by people. It is but those moments of wisdom that decide which group justifies its cause and is remembered by its people forever. Often, soldiers on either side of the battleline choose to protect their nations freedom with their lives. Four Param Vir Chakra, ten Maha Vir Chakra, twenty-six Vir Chakra recipients and many other unsung heroes made this choice in the eighty-four days of the battle fought in Kargil in 1999. Captain Anuj Nayyar was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for the supreme sacrifice that ensured the victory of his motherland. This account gives you a chance to walk alongside a Maha Vir in the boulder-strewn Drass Valley, engage in combat at an altitude of 17,000 feet, look the enemy in the eye and break bread with fellow soldiers on icy peaks, and kindle a rare patriotism inside you. This book captures Anujs journey of barely twenty-three years, during which he transformed from a reserved but righteous child to a gem of a military professional. Decades from now, when people celebrate the sovereignty of India and its victories in the battlefield from the time of Independence, Anujs name will be counted among the bravest of martyrs. Every child will know that he did not succumb to age, that he ran out of breath and not courage, that he looked death in the eye and decided to trade his life for the invaluable freedom of his land. This is the epic saga of Captain Anuj Nayyar, MVC, the Tiger of Drass.

Contents

A WAR IS THE ULTIMATE test for armies and their soldiers. Victory in war is achieved because battles are won. The war in Kargil will go down in military history as a saga of unmatched bravery, grit and determination. Most of the credit for the victory in Kargil goes to the bravery and dedication of young officers and soldiers. They were up front, not hesitant to make any sacrifice to uphold the regimental and national pride and dignity. Under their brilliant leadership, our troops performed superbly. There were countless acts of gallantry, displays of steely resilience, single-minded devotion to duty and tremendous sacrifices. Captain Anuj Nayyar of 17 Jat Battalion left one such mark.

During the 1999 Kargil war, Pakistan Army had occupied Point 4875 and the ridge line leading to it from the west of Tiger Hill. This height dominated the road from Zoji La to Drass. Tactically, this objective was almost as important as Tololing. HQ 8 Mountain Division made the plan to recapture Point 4875, a large and spread-out objective, as soon as a major part of its artillery was free after capturing Tiger Hill. The main objective, that is, Point 4875, was divided into several parts Pimple 1, Whale Back, Pimple 2 and then the height Point 4875.

17 Jat was asked to recapture Pimple 1, Whale Back and Pimple 2. The battalion launched its attack on 4 July 1999. Capt. Anuj Nayyar was part of the C company, which was tasked to capture Pimple 2 in the second phase of the attack. While moving towards the objective, the company commander was seriously injured and had to be evacuated. Without a murmur, like a good second-in-command, young Anuj took over the C company. This gallant officer, highly motivated and determined to achieve success for his company, decided to lead the assault personally. After he and his men had cleared three enemy sangars, eliminated nine soldiers and were in the process of clearing the fourth bunker, an enemy rocket-propelled grenade hit him directly. However, by then, the intrepid young officer had discharged his huge responsibility in an exemplary manner. In doing so, he made the supreme sacrifice for his country.

Anuj had shown a great sense of responsibility and extreme courage in the face of the enemy. Despite the difficult circumstances, he led his company from the front. His courage and leadership became a great inspiration to his troops. This impact can best be gauged when one of his fellow soldiers, Tejbir Singh, decided to name his son after Anuj.

For his indomitable resolve, grit and determination, and for motivating his command by personal example, young Anuj had acted well beyond the call of duty. He was awarded the nations second highest gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra. Soon after his sacrifice, my wife and I went over to convey our condolences to Anujs parents who lived in Janakpuri at the time. That was one of the saddest duties I performed being the head of our great organization, the Indian Army.

General V.P. Malik (Retd)

PVSM, AVSM

Former Chief of the Army Staff

Never Say Die

The battle cry of the Jat Regiment Jat Balwan, Jai Bhagwan echoed in the Mushkoh Valley on the fateful night of July 1999, when the brave and determined troops of 17 Jat, led from the front by Capt. Anuj Nayyar in one of the bloodiest battles of the Kargil war, captured the heights occupied by enemy troops. Young Anuj, in the highest tradition of the Indian Army, laid down his life but ensured that the name of 17 Jat and his tale of valour became legendary in his regiment and the armed forces. One of the youngest recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra, Anuj has left a legacy that inspires not just his unit but the entire Jat Regiment.

As colonel of the Jat Regiment, I had visited Anujs unit. Memories of him and other braves of the unit who had made the supreme sacrifice during this battle are well preserved in the Hall of Fame, which is the first stop for all newly posted officers and men in the unit.

The Tiger of Drass is a collaborative effort by Anujs mother Meena Nayyar and Himmat Singh Shekhawat based on interviews with officers and men of 17 Jat who were then part of the battalion, with inputs available in open source. Mrs Nayyar has also pieced together the letters and memories of Anuj that will bring to the fore the never before known facets of the young officers personality. I deeply appreciate their efforts in bringing one of the legendary figures of the Kargil war to life.

Lt Gen. S.K. Saini

PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM, ADC

Vice Chief of the Army Staff

And how can man die better

Than facing fearful odds.

For the ashes of his fathers.

And the temples of his gods

From the poem Horatius, by Thomas Babington Macaulay

While twenty-one years have passed since the war in Kargil, the memory of those who lost their lives in response to the perfidious actions of an enemy can never die. The battles were fought in the most inhospitable terrains of the world, at heights ranging from 14 18,000 feet. One such battle which brought a closure to the war was fought on the icy heights of Point 4875 by 17 Jat led by Col. Umesh Bawa, which was part of the 79 Mountain Brigade.

By mid-day of 5 July, Point 4875 had been captured, though important features like Pimple 2 were still with the enemy. The second phase of the attack was launched on the night 5 and 6 July, with the Charlie Company tasked to capture Pimple 2. During the attack, Anujs company commander was wounded and the command of the company devolved on his young shoulders. The enemy was engaging the attacking troops with artillery and mortar fire. Undeterred by the heavy fire, Anuj led his troops and pressed home the attack, and succeeded in capturing a major portion of the objective. While the remnant bunkers were being attacked, an enemy RPG directed towards Anuj killed him instantly. However, his actions contributed in sealing the fate of the enemy in the Mushkoh Valley and a grateful Indian Army and the nation conferred the countrys second highest bravery award on Anuj Nayyar.