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Anuj Nayyar

Captain Anuj Nayyar, MVC (August 28, 1975 – July 7, 1999) was an Indian Army officer of 17 Jat Regiment who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award, for exemplary valour in combat during operations in the Kargil War in 1999.[1][2]

Captain

Anuj Nayyar

MVC
Born(1975-08-28)August 28, 1975
Delhi, India
DiedJuly 7, 1999(1999-07-07) (aged 23)
2nd Pimple Complex, Kargil,
Jammu & Kashmir, India
AllegianceIndia Republic of India
Service / branch Indian Army
Years of service1997–1999
Rank Captain
Service numberIC-57111W
Unit 17 JAT
Battles / warsKargil War †
Awards Maha Vir Chakra

Early years and career

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Anuj Nayyar was born and grew up in Delhi, India. His father, Satish Kumar Nayyar,[3] worked as a visiting professor in Delhi School of Economics while his mother, Meena Nayyar, worked for the South Campus library of Delhi University.[4] He was a bright student who consistently performed well in academics and sports.[5]

Nayyar received his high-school education from Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan (1993 batch).[6] He graduated from the National Defence Academy and later was commissioned into the 17th battalion, Jat Regiment (17 Jat) in June 1997 from the Indian Military Academy.[4]

Kargil War

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Background

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In 1999, the Indian Army detected a massive infiltration by Pakistani military and paramilitary forces in the Kargil region of Jammu Kashmir. The army quickly mobilized its forces to drive out the Pakistani infiltrators from Indian territory. 17 Jat was one of the battalions deployed in the region. Nayyar's first major operation involved securing Pimple II, a peak within the Pimple Complex, on the western slopes of Point 4875, a strategic peak in the Mushkoh Valley.[7]

Due to its strategic location, securing Point 4875 was a top priority for the Indian Army. The peak, which stood at 15,990 feet above sea level, had extremely steep slopes and capturing the peak without aerial support was considered near impossible. In a last-ditch attempt, C Coy, 17 Jat, of which Nayyar was the second-in-command, decided to secure the peak without waiting for any aerial support on 6 July.[8]

Operation

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During the initial phase of C Coy's assault on Pimple II, Nayyar's company commander was injured, and command devolved upon him. As the unit advanced under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, the lead section reported the location of 3-4 enemy bunkers. Nayyar moved forward and destroyed the first bunker with a rocket launcher and grenades. Still under heavy fire, he then proceeded with the lead section, which consisted of 7 personnel, and destroyed two more bunkers. During the battle, Nayyar killed 9 Pakistani soldiers and destroyed three medium machine gun bunkers.[9][10] The company then began its assault on the last remaining bunker, but while clearing it, an enemy RPG directly hit Nayyar and killed him instantly.[11][12] Pimple II was captured on 8 July, but Anuj Nayyar had to pay his supreme sacrifice on the mission.[13][14]

During the entire battle for Pimple Complex, 46 regular members of the Pakistan Army, an unknown number of Pakistani paramilitary troopers, militants were killed and 11 Indian Army troops, including Capt. Nayyar, were killed. The securing of Pimple Complex paved the way for the recapture of Tiger Hill which finally forced Pakistan to retreat back across the Line of Control.[15][16]

Recognition and legacy

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Nayyar was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery and leadership in combat.

Nayyar's father, S.K. Nayyar, was allotted a gas station in Delhi by the Government of India in recognition of the services of his son.[17] Tejbir Singh, a fellow soldier of the Jat Regiment, named his son Anuj in honour of Nayyar.[18]

School in Janakpuri area of Delhi, was named as "Shaheed Captain Anuj Nayyar Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya"."

A road in Janakpuri area of Delhi, was named as "Captain Anuj Nayyar Marg."[19][20]

Maha Vir Chakra citation

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Gazette Notification: 17 Pres/2000,15.8.99
Operation: Vijay – Kargil
Date of Award: 1999

Citation: On 06 July 1999, Charlie Company was tasked to capture an objective, which was a part of the Pimple Complex on the Western Slopes of Point 4875, in the Mushkoh Valley. At the beginning of the attack, the Company Commander got injured and the command of the company devolved on Captain Anuj Nayyar. Captain Nayyar continued to command his leading platoon into the attack under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire. As the platoon advanced, the leading section reported the location of 3 to 4 enemy positions. Captain Nayyar moved forward towards the first enemy position and fired a rocket launcher and lobbed grenades into it.

Thereafter, the section, along with Captain Nayyar, physically assaulted and cleared the position. The enemy, which was well entrenched, brought a heavy volume of automatic fire. Captain Anuj Nayyar, unmindful of his personal safety, motivated his men and cleared two more enemy positions. While clearing the fourth position an enemy rocket-propelled grenade hit the officer and martyred him on the spot. This action led by Captain Anuj Nayyar resulted in the killing of nine enemy soldiers and the destruction of three medium machine gun positions of the enemy. The success of this operation after a brief setback was largely due to the outstanding personal bravery and exemplary junior leadership of this daring officer. Captain Anuj Nayyar displayed indomitable resolve, grit, and determination and motivated his command by personal example acting beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in true traditions of the Indian Army.

In Media

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Following Nayyar's death, his heroics during the war were widely covered by Delhi's print media with editorials like Times of India and Hindustan Times running full-page descriptions of his Kargil mission. The plight and ill-treatment of his parents by Indian government officials after his death became the subject of several short telefilms and was widely reported in the Indian news media.[21] Several books and Indian films were made to depict Anuj's life and glorify his contribution to the Indian Army.

  • In 2003 the Hindi film LOC Kargil, directed by J.P. Dutta, which depicted the endeavours of the Indian Army during the Kargil War, was released in which Saif Ali Khan played the role of Anuj Nayyar.
  • In 2003, the Hindi film Dhoop directed by national award winner Ashwini Chaudhary, was released which depicted the life of Anuj's parents after his death.[22] Om Puri played the role of Prof. Kapoor that was based on Prof S.K. Nayyar, Anuj's father.[23][24] Revathi played the role of Mrs. Kapoor, Capt Rohit Kapoor's mother.

References

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  1. ^ "VIDEO: Know about Captain Anuj Nayyar who was honoured with Mahavir Chakra for his bravery". India TV. India TV. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  2. ^ "#KargilHeroes: Anuj Nayyar, The Braveheart For Whom Nation Always Came First". The Better India. 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  3. ^ Krishnan, Raghu (30 July 2006). "Seven years after". The Economic Times. The Economic Times. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Captain Anuj Nayyar MVC | Honourpoint". Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  5. ^ Das, Neha (7 May 2012). "'He was on a mission...I only channelised it'". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  6. ^ Sidhant Mamtany (29 July 2020). "With Tapsites, JOSH is always HIGH: Students of Army Public School Dhaula kuan pay tribute to the Indian Army". India TV.
  7. ^ "India remembers Kargil War hero Captain Anuj Nayyar who died in 1999". Zee News. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  8. ^ Krishna, Ashok; Chari, P. R (2001). Kargil: The Tables Turned. New Delhi: University of Michigan. p. 309. ISBN 9788173043680. OCLC 47863740.
  9. ^ Puri, Lt Gen Mohinder (26 July 2021). "Recalling Young India's Kargil triumph". Tribuneindia News Service. Tribune India. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  10. ^ Captain Anuj Nayyar – Bharat-Rakshak Archived May 3, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ 'Did he die fighting?'
  12. ^ Gokhale, Nitin A; Bahal, Aniruddha (2013-06-15). "Leading From The Front". Outlook India. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  13. ^ Chandar, Col(Retd) Y Udaya (2018). Independent India's All the Seven Wars. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1948473217.
  14. ^ Vīrasiṃha, Rajendra Kumar (2004). The Jats: Their Role & Contribution to the Socio-economic Life and Polity of North & North-west India (in English and Hindi). Vol. 2. Delhi: University of Michigan. p. 467. ISBN 978-81-88629-16-9. OCLC 54758579.
  15. ^ Nayyar, Meena; Shekhawat, Himmat Singh (2022). Tiger of Drass: Capt. Anuj Nayyar, 23, Kargil Hero. HarperCollins India. ISBN 9789354228445.
  16. ^ Fighting gets bloodier in Drass, Batalik
  17. ^ Sagar, Pradip R (24 July 2019). "Resolve conflicts politically, treat soldiers better: Families of Kargil War veterans to govt". The Week. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  18. ^ Connecting to Kargil with Express-Iridium Archived February 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Service, Express News (17 December 2021). "PWD to strengthen roads along ten key stretches in West Delhi". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Public Works Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi". Public Works Department, New Delhi. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  21. ^ No dhoop for Kargil martyr's kin-Delhi Times-Cities-The Times of India
  22. ^ Prasad, Dr. Nitin (2017). Changes in India's foreign policy towards Pakistan. New Delhi: Vij Books India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-86367-79-2. OCLC 1039348690.
  23. ^ Lal, Niharika (26 July 2020). "'Dhoop' director Ashwini Chaudhary: Even after 17 years, families of Army personnel get in touch with me after watching the film - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  24. ^ Shiksha, Shruti (26 July 2019). "Kargil Vijay Diwas: When 'Dhoop', a 2003 film, brought back the struggles Captain Anuj Nayyar's parents faced to keep his name alive". Zee News.
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