Kamal Kant Batra, mother of Capt Vikram Batra, recipient of the Kargil Param Vir Chakra,, passed away in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, on Wednesday following a cardiac arrest. She was 77.

Her husband, GL Batra, while talking ot a national daily said, that she had taken some medication for gastric relief the night before despite having some back and chest pain. She had never experienced heart problems before. After taking medication at night, she reported feeling somewhat relieved. This morning, she took another medication and reported feeling even better. But even as we were thinking about going to the hospital for a check-up, she passed away this afternoon at around 1 PM,” he said.

Retired government teacher Kamal Kant Batra made a brief appearance in politics in 2014 when she ran for Lok Sabha on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). She left the party after the election, claiming she didn’t agree with how it was being run.

Vishal Batra, a twin of Capt Vikram Batra, has arrived in Palampur upon learning the news of his mother’s demise. The cremation will take place on Thursday at noon in Palampur.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu posted his condolences on the death of Capt Batra’s mother on social media platform X. “Received the sad news of the death of Capt Vikram Batra’s mother. We pray to God to give strength to the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” he wrote.