Give befitting reply to Uri attack perpetrators: Kargil martyr Vikram Batra's brother

Chandigarh, Sep 21: Give a befitting reply to those responsible for Uri attack even if that means carrying out surgical strikes across the border, Kargil martyr Captain Vikram Batra's twin brother Vishal Batra said today.

He was also of the opinion that the three services chiefs should have more "say" in such a situation. "India cannot allow situation to go on like this," Batra told PTI in the wake of recent terror strike in Uri sector in which 18 soldiers were killed.

"The moment I switched on TV and saw the 18 coffins of Uri attack martyrs, it reminded me of the Kargil war... When Vikram came back in coffin... I realised that government should give a befitting reply," Vishal, who is a banker, said.

He said, "I don't think we can allow the situation to go on like that. Government has to take a step forward, so that this (incidents like Uri) do not happen again. Pakistan has not responded to our friendly gestures, it is not learning lessons.

Time has come it should be the other way around." 24-year-old Capt Vikram Batra had laid down his life while recapturing the strategic 5140-point in the Tiger hill stretch from the Pakistani troops during the Kargil war in 1999.

In the morning of June 20, 1999 Vikram and his troops captured 5140-point, which finally lead to the decisive fall of Tiger Hill and to India's eventual victory. Vikram, who hailed from Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, was awarded Param Vir Chakra.

43-year-old Vishal said post-Kargil war in 1999, Pakistan has not learnt any lesson. India can consider carrying out surgical strikes to destroy terrorist camps across the border, he said.

"We are capable of carrying out surgical strikes to destroy bases where terrorists are being trained across the border. I think at this time world powers are with us, we can isolate Pakistan," he said.

PTI