Ladakh: In a tribute to one of India’s most valiant Kargil heroes, Captain Anuj Nayyar’s personal belongings from the 1999 Kargil War were handed over to the Indian Army by his mother, Meena Nayyar, after being preserved at home for 26 years.
The items, used by the young officer during his service with the 17 Jat Regiment, are now being showcased at the Kargil War Museum in Dras.
Photos of Meena Nayyar handing over her son’s war belongings to uniformed Army personnel at her home also surfaced on social media. The memorabilia includes war gear and personal effects from the battlefield, now serving as a testament to his sacrifice.
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The museum aims to honour the soldiers who fought and fell during the 1999 conflict, and Captain Nayyar’s belongings are now part of its permanent collection, educating future generations about the cost of the nation’s freedom.
Who Was Captain Anuj Nayyar?
Born in Delhi on 28 August 1975, Anuj was known for his academic brilliance and excellence in sports. He studied at Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, and went on to graduate from the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, being commissioned into the 17 Jat Regiment in June 1997.
During the Kargil War, Anuj played a crucial role in recapturing Pimple II, a heavily fortified enemy position on the western slopes of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley. After his company commander was injured, Anuj took charge and led his men under heavy fire, personally destroying three enemy bunkers and killing nine Pakistani soldiers before being fatally hit by an RPG on 7 July 1999.
Captain Anuj was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award. His memory has since been honoured with a road and school named after him in Delhi, and more recently, a locomotive named “Captain Anuj Nayyar” by Southern Railway on Republic Day 2025.
