Age: 23
Battalion: 4 Jat
Newly commissioned, he went out at the head of a six-member patrol on May 14, 1999. The mission: to check on the Bajrang post in Kaksar area.
Patrol Saurabh was captured by the intruders. In June, the mutilated bodies of the soldiers were handed back.
Lt Kalia is remembered as a "serious, thinking" youngster, who was "very fond of computers".
Age: 26
Battalion: 4 Jat
He was pulled back from a patrol and sent to search for Patrol Saurabh on May 16. He had 29 men with him. They came under heavy fire near Bajrang post. He died covering his men's retreat. His colleagues remember him for his courage and this US Marine Corps song he used to sing:
"If I die in combat zone
Box me up and send me home
Pin my medals all over my chest
Tell my mom I did my best."
Age: 26
A short service commission officer from Trichy in Tamil Nadu. He was among the first of the officers to die. Dubbed the Hero of Batalik, he fell on May 29, 1999 in the Batalik sector. Was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.
Age: 26
Battalion: 18 Grenadiers
From Uttar Pradesh. He died on May 31 fighting to take the Tololing ridge in Drass sub-sector. Then, India had no idea about the intruders' strength and capabilities. Major Adhikari led a daring frontal assault -- and paid with his life. He received the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.
Age: 31
Battalion: 2 Rajputana
Died on June 29. Had survived the fierce and successful battle for Tololing. His next task was to recapture a mountain feature named Knoll. The assault was a success, but Major Acharya fell to an enemy grenade... just eight days after his 31st birthday.
Age: 25
Battalion: 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry
He and 13 men recaptured a key feature in Batalik sector on June 10. It was a successful operation that saw 25 intruders being killed after a seven-hour battle. But the entire assault force perished in it.
Captain Kalia received the Vir Chakra (posthumous).
Battalion: 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Code named Sher Shah, he led the Indian attack on Point 5140 in Drass sub-sector. He recaptured it on June 20, but died in the effort. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (posthumous).
Age: 39
Battalion: 18 Grenadiers
The highest ranking officer to die in the conflict. On June 3, he went up the heights to recover the bodies of three of his men in the Tololing area. He captured three bunkers but was shot in the groin and thigh. Died while being evacuated.
The last letter he wrote his wife reached her with his bullet-ridden body: "I am proceeding to an unidentified destination. It could be dangerous." He received the Vir Chakra (posthumous).
Illustration: Dominic Xavier