While interrogating the captured terrorist, Harshan discovered there was infiltration at Kupwara near the India-Pakistan border. He told his commanders that he would conduct a combing operation.
He spent the next two weeks in Kupwara, but no terrorist was found.
When his parents asked when he would come to see them, he used to say, 'I am needed here. If I take leave, somebody else has to work more.'
But after the unsuccessful Kupwara operation, he applied for leave to go home.
March 20. His bags were packed and he was about to leave for Kerala when he heard that terrorists had been spotted in Kupwara.
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He rushed back to Kupwara with 20 men. The mission was successful, and the Red Devils captured the terrorists.
As the unit returned from the heights, Captain Harshan was fired upon. He was hit in the thigh. He returned fire. The gun-battle continued for some time.
The captain was injured, but he stayed in charge, killed three terrorists and saved the lives of his men.
Before he could savour success, a sniper shot him in the neck.
He died, protecting our borders from our enemies.
Image: Harshan, in front, training to be a paratrooper. Photograph: Courtesy Captain Harshan's family
Also read: The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra
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