'Dad, I'll be back soon'

But Maj Vivek Gupta could not keep his word as he died while winning Tololing Top

Maj Vivek Gupta fulfilled the promise made to his nation that of protecting its integrity but couldn't keep the one made to his father.

"Don't worry dad, I will be back soon," Maj Gupta wrote to his father Col BRS Gupta in his last letter on June 8, 1999. The letter reached the retired colonel on June 17 u2014 five days after his son made the supreme sacrifice on Tololing heights.

Maj Gupta's sacrifice was one of those that were etched in the memory of his countrymen because people still remember his wife, Capt Jayashree Gupta, dressed in her olive green uniform laying a wreath on the body of her husband.

The battles waged by Maj Gupta's company were one of the firsts during Operation Vijay when the Indian Army did not know the exact magnitude of intrusion. Leading a company of 2nd Rajputana Rifles (Raj Rif), Maj Gupta's soldiers had little cover to escape direct firing from the intruders.

"I am going for the Tololing and will move ahead after that. If I come back shoot me," was the war cry given by Maj Gupta to his men before launching the assault on Tololing Top.

"Knowing that his entire company is like a sitting duck after bullets were fired upon them from every direction Vivek launched a solo attack to take on the Pakistanis. While my 27-year-old son proved his blood, his fellow soldiers lived on to win more peaks," said Col Gupta.

After ducking fire for some time, Maj Gupta took a rocket launcher and targeted the nearest Pakistani bunker. That sudden response from the Indian troops left the Pakistanis shaken and even before they could realise Vivek charged.

He was hit by two bullets and was bleeding profusely yet he continued the ascent uphill. He managed to engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Inspired by the incredible show of courage by their commander, the troops launched a ferocious attack on the Pakistanis and won Tololing Top. Unfortunately, the body of the brave soldier lay in the Sun on Tololing Top before the Indian Army sent a mission, braving enemy fire, to rescue the bodies on June 15.

"We were very close to each other and he cared a lot for me.u00a0 I don't cry anymore. There are no tears left in my eyes. Moreover, my son died a hero's death," said Col Gupta.

Hand in hand
For Major Vivek, killing Pakistanis in hand-to-hand combat was not a new thing. The daring man, who was fond of all outdoor activities, was awarded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) commendation for killing a Pakistani terrorist in hand-to-hand combat. Recognising his outstanding skills he was soon sent to Infantry School, Mhow, as a weapon instructor.


Au00a0copy of the letter from his father to the Indian Army

Born to be an infantryman
The tall and exceptionally charming Maj Gupta had not decided to join the Army till very late in life. "He was in college when we shifted to Dehradun. Just like youngsters of his age he was exploring other options that included Army," remembered his father.

He used to talk a lot about life in Army and one fine day he announced he was going to join it. "When I asked his choice of unit he said, 'I am not made to count socks and bullets. I am born to be an infantry man,' said Col Gupta, who served in the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC). The 75-year-old man didn't miss the light-hearted jibe.

Soon Vivek was in National Defence Academy and after passing out he joined 2nd Raj Rif one of the most decorated units of the Indian Army.