Vivek Gupta (soldier)

Major Vivek Gupta, MVC (2 January 1970 – 13 June 1999) was an officer in the Indian Army notable for his participation in the Kargil War of 1999. He displayed exemplary courage and leadership and was martyred during the war. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second-highest military decoration.[3]

Major

Vivek Gupta

MVC
Born(1970-01-02)2 January 1970[1]
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Died13 June 1999(1999-06-13) (aged 29)
Point 4590, Drass, Jammu and Kashmir
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Rank Major
Unit2nd Rajputana Rifles
Battles/wars
Awards Maha Vir Chakra[2]

Early life

Major Vivek Gupta was born in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 2 Jan 1970. His father was Col B.R.S. Gupta, an Army Ordnance Corps officer. He married an army officer Captain (Dr) Rajshree Gupta, from the Army Medical Corps in 1997.[4]

Military career

Major Vivek Gupta was selected for National Defense Academy and Indian Military Academy and got commissioned into the 2nd Rajputana Rifles, one of the most decorated units of the Indian army, on 13 June 1992. He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) commendation for killing a Pakistani terrorist in hand-to-hand combat. In recognition of his outstanding skills he was posted to Infantry School, Mhow, as a weapon instructor.

Kargil War

During the Kargil war of 1999, Major Vivek Gupta was part of a light machine gun commando team which was asked to recapture Pakistani bunkers along the mountaintop of Tololing. This was a dangerous mission requiring uphill ascent on treacherous, icy slopes towards well entrenched enemy posts. Major Vivek was martyred on June 13 after capturing two enemy posts on the wind-swept, icy slopes of the Drass sector. For his gallant actions and bravery which led to the capture of enemy positions and for laying down his life in service of the nation, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest gallantry award of India.

Maha Vir Chakra

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[5][6]

Gazette Notification: 17 Pres/2000,15.8.99

Operation: Op Vijay - Kargil Date of Award: 15 Aug 1999

CITATION

MAJOR VIVEK GUPTA (IC-51152)
2 RAJPUTANA RIFLES

(POSTHUMOUS)

Major Vivek Gupta was in command of the leading Charlie Company, when 2 Rajputana Rifles launched a battalion attack on Tololing Top, in Drass sector on 13 June 1999. Inspite 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 form 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. Major Vivek Gupta displayed conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership in the face of the enemy, which, ultimately led to the capture of Tololing Top.

The character of Major Vivek Gupta was played by Bollywood actor Himanshu Malik in the historical war film LOC: Kargil, released in 2003.

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See also

References
  1. "Major Vivek Gupta, MVC". HonourPoint.
  2. "MAJ VIVEK GUPTA MAHA VIR CHAKRA (Posthumous)". Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Govt of India website.
  3. "Major Vivek Gupta, MVC | Honourpoint". Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  4. "Kargil war: From the ashes of the dead rise the tales of India's heroes". iKashmir.
  5. "VIVEK GUPTA | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in.
  6. "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Maj Vivek Gupta, MVC @ TWDI". twdi.in.


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