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

Vikram you are going for another crucial operation, what are your thoughts at this moment?'

Mr Batra watched his son on the evening news when the television reporter questioned him at the base camp.

Over the past few days, the school principal had tried to catch a glimpse of his son after he came home every day. But that day something about Vikram left him uneasy.

'I wish the families of the deceased soldiers are looked after well by the government and society,' Vikram replied and turned his face from the camera.

Sitting in his home, hundreds of miles away, Mr Batra read the facial expressions of his son and instantly knew what was going on in his mind.

Vikram doubted his return, Mr Batra thought.

This time, the father turned away from the television screen and broke down.

His wife asked him why he had suddenly become so sad. He did not have the courage to tell her what he felt.

At that moment he knew their son wasn't coming back.