In a heartfelt tribute to Captain Anuj Nayyar, also known as “The Tiger of Drass,” India’s Southern Railway has dedicated its brand new AJJ WAG-9 HC 38944 locomotive in his honor.
Captain Nayyar, a Maha Vir Chakra awardee, made the ultimate sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil War while serving with the Jat Regiment.
“The brand-new AJJ WAG-9 HC 38944 is dedicated to Captain Anuj Nayyar, Maha Vir Chakra, of the JAT Regiment, honoring his bravery and supreme sacrifice in the 1999 Kargil War. Kudos to Electric Loco Shed, Arakkonam, for this noble tribute,” read the statement.
Reacting to this tribute, Captain Nayyar’s mother, Mrs. Meena Nayyar, expressed her emotions in an interview with NDTV. “It is a very wonderful tribute by Railway. I am really happy and thankful. It is a proud moment for us,” she said.
She added, “He was only 23 years old, and I have lived 25 years without him. It is not an easy journey, but I would like to thank everyone on Team Railway……He was a wonderful son, wonderful brother, and, moreover, a wonderful Soldier.”
When asked how this gesture would help keep her son’s legacy alive, Mrs. Nayyar said, “If something is done by the Government in the name of Captain Anuj, it will inspire the youth of this country.”
However, Mrs. Nayyar expressed her mild frustration at finding out about the tribute through a WhatsApp forward, noting that an invitation to the formal unveiling would have been appreciated. Still, she expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Railway Minister for this honor.
She also emphasized Captain Nayyar’s resilience, his remarkable leadership at a young age, and his strategic brilliance, all of which were crucial on the battlefield.
Anuj was only two months away from his wedding when tragedy struck. He was about to marry his school-time sweetheart, but the clothes for his wedding remained untouched, a symbol of the dreams that were left unfulfilled.
His fiancée now manages a Facebook group in his name, which has grown to over 4,000 members, serving as a space to honor and remember him.
Kargil War Hero: Captain Anuj Nayyar
The Kargil War of 1999 is one of the most defining moments in India’s military history. The war was fought between India and Pakistan in the high-altitude terrain of Jammu and Kashmir. It was sparked by the infiltration of Pakistani military personnel across the Line of Control (LoC) into the Kargil District.
It lasted for approximately two months, from May to July, and saw some of the most intense and heroic acts of bravery. Among the many gallant soldiers who rose to the occasion, Captain Anuj Nayyar of the 17 JAT Regiment remains a symbol of courage, selflessness, and sacrifice.
Captain Anuj Nayyar was born on June 28, 1975, in Delhi. His father, Prof. Satish Kumar Nayyar, and his mother, Meena Nayyar, were proud of their son’s ambitions and supported his dream of joining the Indian Armed Forces.
From an early age, Anuj was determined to pursue a career in the military. His resolve was evident even when, as a young boy, he assured his father while waiting outside the Allahabad SSB Centre, “I am going to make it, Poppin. I promise you.”
Anuj’s journey towards realizing his dream began after completing his schooling at Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, where he was inspired by tales of bravery and selflessness.
In June 1993, he took a key step forward by enrolling in the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) as part of its 90th Course. Following his training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, Anuj was commissioned into the Indian Army on June 7, 1997, as a part of the 17 JAT Regiment.
The Kargil War broke out in May 1999, just two years after Anuj had joined his regiment. His unit, the 17 JAT, was thrust into the heart of the conflict, where the Indian Army faced the challenge of dislodging the entrenched Pakistani forces from the heights of Kargil.
One of the most strategically important objectives was Point 4875, a heavily fortified position held by the enemy. In response, the 17 JAT was inducted into the valley on May 26, 1999, with the primary task of capturing vital features, including Pimple 1, Pimple 2, and Whale Back.
Colonel Umesh Singh Bawa, the Commanding Officer of the 17 JAT, planned the assault in two phases. The first phase involved attacking Pimple 1 and Whale Back from the south, while the second phase aimed to capture Pimple 2 and the North Spur.
After successfully capturing Pimple 1 and Whale Back in the first phase of the attack, the unit paused for a day on July 5, 1999, before launching Phase 2 of the operation.
On July 6, 1999, the attack on Pimple 2 began, but a devastating blow soon marred the operation. The commander of ‘C’ Company was seriously wounded, and Captain Anuj Nayyar, as the Second-in-Command, took charge of the troops.
Despite the severe adversities, including intense enemy fire and difficult weather conditions, Captain Nayyar demonstrated extraordinary leadership, courage, and tactical brilliance.
Captain Nayyar’s troops faced overwhelming odds, with the enemy entrenched in fortified positions and armed with superior weaponry. However, Captain Nayyar’s decision to push forward in the face of adversity drove him to devise an ingenious plan to neutralize the enemy’s positions.
Rocket launchers and grenades were initially used to target the enemy’s positions, but these efforts proved ineffective against the fortified Sangars. Undeterred, Captain Nayyar personally led his men in a frontal assault and charged towards the enemy despite the risk to his own life.
He and his team then engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. They successfully cleared the first enemy position, but the remaining enemy retaliated with heavy automatic fire.
Captain Nayyar pressed on and led his troops with determination, inspiring them to continue the assault. The second and third enemy positions were cleared, but the enemy launched a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) towards Captain Nayyar’s team as they advanced to the fourth position.
Without hesitation, Captain Nayyar positioned himself between his men and the incoming enemy fire and sacrificed his life to protect his comrades and the operation. The RPG struck him, and he succumbed to his injuries.
Before making the ultimate sacrifice, Captain Nayyar had reportedly killed scores of enemy soldiers and destroyed three medium machine gun positions, playing an important role in the success of the operation.
He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest military honor, for his extraordinary courage and leadership. His actions during the Kargil War made him a hero not only in the eyes of his comrades but also in the hearts of millions of Indians.
The impact of Captain Nayyar’s life and sacrifice was deeply felt by his comrades. Tejbir Singh, a fellow soldier of the Jat Regiment, honored his memory by naming his son Anuj in tribute to the fallen hero.
Captain Nayyar’s family, particularly his parents and his younger brother, Karan Nayyar, also carried forward his legacy. Though Anuj’s father passed away in 2014, his mother and brother continue to honor him in their own ways.
Karan Nayyar, who graduated from BITS Pilani, has built a successful career in the tech industry. He currently resides in Silicon Valley, California, where he works for Oracle Corporation.
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