Reportage: Archana Masih. Photograph: Seema Pant. Design: Dominic Xavier, Rajesh Karkera

Daddy, I've captured.'

G L Batra can never forget that phone call that June morning. Vikram's voice was cracking through the satellite phone. He was talking too fast and wasn't clear at all.

For a moment, he thought his son was captured. But the school principal knew it was preposterous to think that he would be allowed to call his parents if he were a prisoner of war. Yet he was frightened and asked Vikram to speak clearly.

'Oh Daddy, I've captured the enemy's post. I'm OK, I'm OK.'

'Bete [son], I'm proud of you,' replied Mr Batra, 'may God bless you to carry on your task there.'

It was the happiest moment of his life. He had named his son 'Vikram' because the name spelled character and strength and he had lived up to it.

It was the morning of June 20, 1999. Through the previous night Vikram had commanded a daring operation and his father reveled in his accomplishment.

The capture of 5140 would finally lead to the decisive fall of Tiger Hill, and to India's eventual victory.

Nine days later, Vikram called from base camp. He was leaving for another crucial operation.

He never called again.