Eight Sikh, affectionately known as Charhdi Kala, celebrated Shaheedi and Fateh Diwas to commemorate the capture of the Western Spur (‘India Gate’ and ‘Helmet’ features of the legendary Tiger Hill in Drass sector) and pay homage to its martyrs who made it possible.

Lt Kanad Bhattacharya, Sena Medal, Sub Nirmal Singh, Vir Chakra, Sub Joginder Singh, Sena Medal, Nb Sub Karnail Singh, Vir Chakra, Nb Sub Ravail Singh, Sena Medal and 30 other ranks of 8 Sikh made supreme sacrifice while throwing the enemy from this strategically important feature on the Western Spur of the Tiger Hill and later successfully defending it against fierce counter- attack by the enemy during the operation Vijay in the year 1999.

On July 4, 1999, 8 Sikh was tasked to gain a foothold on the Western Spur of Tiger Hill with a view to cut off-top and provide a firm base for its subsequent capture. Western Spur extends approximately 1.5 to 2 km in length comprising features like Rhino Horn, Rocky Knob, Helmet and India Gate. A feature was held by the enemy and was totally dominated by Tiger Hill Top, Trig Height and Charlie Feature. The approach was steep with gradient of 75 to 80 degrees. It was not only a formidable objective to capture; but it was more difficult to hold with limited space available and enemy occupying the heights on both sides. The plan was to capture the "India Gate" and "Helmet" through western approach with surprise as the vital ingredient.

On the night of July 4/5, the company under Maj Ravindra Singh traversed the difficult terrain amidst enemy shelling and automatic fire to the base of the objective. An extremely bad weather with fog and rains came as a boon.

The company negotiated the steep slopes undetected due to its mountaineering skills. It established a firebase behind a rock approximately 200 m away from the objective. Three teams under three JCOs, namely Sub Nirmal Singh, Nb Sub Karnail Singh and Nb Sub Ravail Singh under overall coordination of Lt RK Seharawat probed towards the objective. The enemy was totally surprised with the sudden assault of Sikhs on "India Gate" and "Helmet". Enemy opened up with two automatics. Sikhs retaliated with RL fire and forced the enemy to flee. "India Gate" and "Helmet" were captured at 4 am on July 5 and Tiger Hill Top was completely cut off. Braves of 8 Sikh cut off enemy telephone communication towards the top. One company took defiance on the objective amidst enemy fire from three directions.

Enemy was desperate to keep the western route of maintenance open for survival at Tiger Hill Top and mustered all its resources to recapture it. Heavy artillery shelling and RPG fire along with incessant automatic fire pounded on Sikhs on July 6. Enemy launched a counter-attack initially with about 20 personnel from Rocky Knob. Heavy and accurate fire from own troops dissipated the assault. It was followed by a desperate and fierce counter-attack by about 40 to 45 personnel from two different directions. The gallant Sikhs held on to the objective and repulsed the two counter-attacks inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The enemy lost 30 personnel including two officers. It left behind the dead bodies of their soldiers including officers, and fled. A large number of weapons, radio-sets and documents were recovered from the dead bodies. However, during this epic battle, three JCOs and 14 ORs of 8 Sikh made the supreme sacrifice. Two officers and 18 ORs were wounded. Exceptional devotion and the great sacrifices of the "Khalsas" paved the way for the subsequent capture of Tiger Hill Top on July 7, 1999. It was indeed a saga of valour and sacrifice in the glorious tradition of Saragarhi.

For the capture of "India Gate" and "Helmet" and later defence of the same against fierce enemy counter-attacks, the unit was awarded Instant Unit Citation by Chief of the Army Staff, a unique citation by the Punjab Government, three Vir Chakra, eleven Sena Medals, twelve Mention-in-Despatches, four Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards and seven GOC-in-C (Northern Command) Commendation Cards.