Remembering MVC Awardee Major Vivek Gupta who undeterred by multi-directional fire, killed three enemies in hand to hand combat before making supreme sacrifice in Kargil War
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Major Vivek Gupta played a significant role in capturing the Tololing top during the Kargil War. He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously-- India's second-highest military decoration, for his distinguished acts of valour during the Kargil War in the year 1999.
Major Vivek Gupta was born on January 2, 1970, in Deharadun, Uttarakhand to Lt. Col BRS Gupta (father). He joined National Defence Academy after completing his schooling. He later got himself admitted to Indian Military Academy. On June 13, 1992, Major Vivek Gupta was commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, a decorated infantry Regiment in the Indian Army.
13 June 1999
During the 1999 Kargil War, Major Vivek Gupta and others of the 2nd Rajputana Rifles were assigned to capture point 4590 of Tololing Top in the Drass sector. He was a member of light machine gun commando team who was asked to recapture Pakistani bunkers along the mountain top of Tololing.The assigned area was a dangerous task as it required an uphill ascent towards entrenched enemy posts. The enemy at that time had an advantage of height.
Major Vivek Gupta was in command of the leading Charlie Company, when 2nd Rajputana Rifles launched a battalion attack on Tololing Top, in Drass sector on 13 June 1999.
Tololing hill kargil
In spite of heavy artillery and automatic fire, the company under the inspiring leadership of Major Vivek Gupta was able to close in with the enemy. As soon as the Company emerged in the open, they came under multidirectional intense fire. Three personnel of the leading section of the Company were hit and the attack was temporarily stalled.
Knowing fully well that staying any longer in the open under the murderous enemy fire would lead to more losses, Major Vivek Gupta reacted immediately and fired a rocket launcher at the enemy position. Before the shocked enemy could recover, Major Vivek Gupta charged on to the enemy position. While so charging, he was hit by two bullets, despite which, he kept moving towards the position. On reaching the position, he engaged the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand combat and managed to kill three enemy soldiers despite his own injuries.
Taking inspiration from the gallant deed of their officer, the rest of the company charged onto the enemy position and captured it. However, in the ensuing combat, Major Vivek Gupta received another direct from enemy bullets and finally succumbed to his injuries. His body could not be recovered immediately and it lay on the Tololing top before the Indian Army sent a mission, braving enemy fire, to rescue the bodies on June 15.
Life came a full circle for Major Vivek Gupta as he was martyred exactly the same day he joined the Rajputana Rifles seven years ago. Major Vivek Gupta displayed conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership in the face of the enemy, which, ultimately led to the capture of Tololing Top.
Major Vivek Gupta was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for his distinguished acts of valour during the Kargil War in the year 1999, on the occasion of Independence Day.