‎dad, I'll Be Back Soon'

January 5, 2012

[color=#000000]But Maj Vivek Gupta could not keep his word as he gave his supreme sacrifice while winning Tololing Top![/color]

[color=#000000]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.[/color]
[color=#000000]"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 [/color][color=#000000]reached the retired colonel on June 17 five days after his son made the supreme sacrifice on Tololing heights.[/color]

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. 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.

[img]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/382794_10150477104948071_87167763070_8649491_437611898_n.jpg[/img]
[color=#000000]In Pic: Capt Jayashree saluting the mortal remains of her husband, Major Vivek Gupta, [/color]