In 2006, Harshan was posted in Kashmir. He was delighted.
But his parents were worried. Every evening after coming back from office, the first thing Nair would ask Chitra if there was a call from Harshan that day.
"He used to call us regularly but as he was not supposed to reveal where he was, he couldn't tell us anything about his operations or whereabouts," said Nair. "We sensed that he was very enthusiastic about his days as an officer in Kashmir. The way he conducted his last operation also shows he didn't care about his life at all."
On March 7, there was an operation in Baramulla, Kashmir, where Captain Harshan, a member of the elite Red Devil unit, overpowered a dreaded terrorist and recovered a cache of weapons from him. After the operation the unit recommended Harshan's name for a gallantry award.
While interrogating captured terrorists, Harshan found out they were infiltrating into India through Kupwara. He told his senior officers that he wanted to go after them. For the next two weeks, he was at Kupwara, but could not find any terrorists.
He decided to apply for leave and come home.
Image: Harshan with his fellow soldiers
Also read: The soldier who changed Kashmir's history
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