Major Padmapani Acharya – Martyred At The Battle of Tololing (Kargil)
Maj. Padmapani Acharya of 2 Rajputana Rifles is one among the many heroes of the Kargil War who had made the ultimate sacrifice for the task he was assigned; the sacrifice of his very life. For his valour and leadership as company commander unmindful of his own safety, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously. Born into a fauji family himself, he was the son of Wing Commander Acharya who had himself seen action during the 1965 and 1971 wars. Major Acharya was expecting to be a father himself when he gave up his life on the icy, treacherous slopes of Kargil. When the film LOC Kargil, paid tribute to this brave son of India, the role of Maj. Padmapani Acharya was essayed by Nagarjun.
Maj. Padmapani Acharya and the battle of Tololing
The Major had celebrated his birthday just a week before he died on the battle field on 21st June 1999. One week later on 28th June, the 2nd Rajputana Rifles was tasked with the taking back possession of the enemy bunker atop Tololing Top. This peak had specific strategic importance because it overlooked National Highway 1D which connected Leh with Srinagar; which made the Battle for Tololing a very significant and pivotal one.
As with most of the Kargil battles, this was literally another uphill task where the enemy’s high vantage point made it incredibly difficult if not impossible for Indian soldiers to approach undetected. Leading the reserve platoon, Maj Acharya led his men to the enemy post while under fire. He managed to neutralize several of the enemy with hand grenades but sustained many injuries. When his injuries incapacitated him, he ordered his men to leave him and charge ahead to finish the task of recapturing the post. When his company had successfully recaptured Tololing Top the Major finally succumbed to his injuries.
Major Acharaya – “Aparajita”
His wife was six months pregnant when the Major died in battle. When their daughter was born in September 1999, she was fittingly named Aparajita – the undefeated one. In the last letter that the major wrote to his father, on 19th June, he said “…combat is an honour of a lifetime and I would not think of anything less. What better way to serve the nation”. Aparajita and her grandfather hope that she can follow in the footsteps of her father – the father she never met – to one day join the army herself.
Author – Reena Daruwalla
This article is a part of a series on the brave hearts of the Kargil War – these are heroes India has either forgotten about or has never heard of. This series is our tribute to our country’s men and women in uniform ahead of Kargil Divas (26 July)