Pannikot Vishwanath Vikram, SM

Biography

Born into a military family, Captain Vikram grew up in a disciplined, patriotic environment shaped by his father's service. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Computer Science from NSS College, Ottapalam, Kerala in 1994, earned his NCC 'C' Certificate, and joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, commissioning into the Regiment of Artillery on 8 June 1996 — the same regiment his father had served in. During the Kargil conflict, he served as a Forward Observation Officer in support of the 4th Battalion of the Jat Regiment in the Kaksar sector at an altitude of about 17,500 feet. Despite being exposed to grave danger and continuous enemy shelling, he remained steadfast at his post, courageously directing artillery barrages with precision. On 2 June 1999, an enemy mortar shell exploded near his position while he was directing fire, and he succumbed to the injuries sustained in the blast. He was awarded the Sena Medal for his gallantry.