Operation IBEX was launched in the Chumik Gyongla Glacier area in Siachen on 11 April, 1989 with the aim of occupying the Area Point 6400 which is of tactical importance on the Saltoro Watershed m order to pre-empt the enemy from carrying out its plan of aggression Captain Vijayant Kumar of 2 Dogra was selected as the commander of a special task force. He reached base camp on 11 April 1989, and single-handed started work on preparing a Cheetah Helipad. He supervised the organisation of the support base and the stupendous task of opening the route from base to the top of Point 6400. Captain Vijayant Kumar moved forward with four men on 26thApril1989 and occupied the bimp, approximately 500 metres away from Point 6400, the key to the successful defence ofpoint 6400. From here, Captain Kumar personally registered a number of targets. He controlled and directed artillery and mortar fire with superb confidence to inflict severe punishment on the enemy targets. On the evening of30April1989, the sentry gave the alarm "Dushman, Dushman" and fired his rifle. Almost immediately his weapon suffered 'cold arrest' and ceased functioning. A group of approximately 10 Pakistanis, taking advantage ofthe poorvisibility, had come very close and were at a distance 01 ten metres from his patrol. They started engaging the sentry with well-directed small arms fire. The sentry was mortally wounded and collapsed. Captain Kumar ordered his group to open fire and himself opened fire with the 84 mm Rocket Launcher using air burst ammunition. With one of his soldiers dying and one light machine gun and two of his other personal weapons suffering cold arrest, it was a very difficult situation. Despite these handicaps, the enemy attack was effectively repulsed, with his group having suffered approximately seven casualties. Captain Kurnar, with utter disregard to his personal safety, crawled approximately 15 metres down the forward slope, and cut the enemy's fixed ropes. Immediately thereafter, he reorganised his group and directed accurate artillery fire on the enemy

On 1 May 1989, they withdrew to Point 6400, bringing back the body of the sentry and all their weapons and their radio set. Between 1 and 4 May 1989, Captain Vijayant Kumar continued to assist Major S L Gautam in organising the defence. Throughout, they were subjected to accurate enemy artillery and mortar fire. Finally on 5 May 1989, an exhausted Captain Kumar suffering third degree frostbite on his right hand and toes was evacuated by helicopter to the base camp.

Captain Vijayant Kumar displayed conspicuous courage and valour in the face of the enemy.