Reportage: Archana Masih. Photograph: Seema Pant. Design: Dominic Xavier, Rajesh Karkera

Vikram with another young officer, Anuj Nayyar, fought the enemy's counter-attack ferociously.

They cleared enemy bunkers, egged their men forward, engaged in a hand-to-hand combat and forced the Pakistani retreat.

The mission was almost over when Vikram ran out of the bunker to rescue another junior officer who had injured his legs in an explosion.

"His subedar begged him not to go and said he would go instead," says his father, "but Vikram told him: 'Tu baal-bacchedar hain, hat ja peeche. [You have children, step aside]"

He lunged forward to save the young lieutenant, when a bullet pierced through his chest.

By the morning India won back Peak 4875 but lost Vikram Batra.

For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy, he was awarded India's highest decoration in battle -- the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously

His comrade in battle, Anuj Nayyar, also died while clearing his fourth enemy bunker.

He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra -- the nation's second highest honour.