On 20th June 1999, the 13 JAK rifles were deployed to Capture Point 5140 in the Kargil sector from the Pakistani Intruders. Captain Vikram Batra, in a audacious move decided to attack the enemy position from the rear along the sheer cliff face.

Undaunted by continuous enemy shelling, the officer, following by five men climbed up and hurled two grenades at the enemy. He was confronted by three enemy soldiers. He dispatched all three men but was grievously injured in the process. Despite this, he went back and called forward his men and having regrouped his forces, led them in the capture of point 5140. He died soon afterwards.

The citation that accompanied the Param Vir Chakra bestowed on him posthumously, stated that the Captain had been honoured "for his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and the leadership of the highest order in the face of enemy".