Calcutta, Aug. 6 :    Calcutta, Aug. 6:  He would have been 25 today, perhaps even celebrating his birthday with his family. But Captain Kanad Bhattacharya of the Sikh Regiment?s 8th battalion was of different mettle. He is the only soldier from the city to have become a martyr in the recent Kargil conflict in Kashmir. Silent prayers and tearful memories filled the Bhattacharya household in Bonhooghly, Baranagar, today. His parents and elder sisters had recently been given the official version of what happened on May 21, the day he gallantly fell to a hail of enemy bullets. ?This young officer volunteered for the perilous mission of probing the defences of Tiger Hill and cutting the enemy?s means of sustenance from the rear,? it said. ?On May 21 he, along with his platoon, set out from the base camp, traversed the inhospitable terrain and managed to interpose himself between the enemy and the base. ?Having been detected, this patrol was the target of intense fire from artillery and mortars. Despite this, it continued traversing near vertical cliff faces towards its planned position. It was at this juncture in the hours of darkness that they were targeted from close range by an enemy group. Capt. Bhattacharya and men charged at the enemy at close quarters and eliminated them. In the process, the officer was severely injured. At this point the enemy opened fire from another position nearby. ?Undeterred by his mortal injuries, Capt. Bhattacharya led another assault and finally fell.? All this took place on the west side of Tiger Hill, the eventual capture of which some days later was made possible by the self-sacrifices and heroism of this officer and his team. ?The memories of Capt. Bhattacharya will continue to inspire his comrades in the Sikh Regiment,? the official account concludes. When Kanad?s relatives met Maj. J. Rathore, the battalion?s commanding officer, who is recovering in the Army Hospital in New Delhi, they were told that he had promoted him Captain on the battlefield itself as a lieutenant cannot lead a platoon into a conflict. Since his funeral in Calcutta on July 18, a stream of people have been visiting his home to pay tribute and sympathise with the brave soldier?s family. Hundreds of letters have also come in, one with only ?Bhattacharyas, Baranagar? as the address. Two cards, presumably sent by two boys from poor families, came as bearing letters. But the post office peon waived the charges. ?We long to see the last photographs of him taken from his camera in Kargil,? Kanad?s sisters said. ?His camera has returned but without the film,? one of them said. And as the family reconciles with this precious but heroic loss, it is hoped that the Army authorities will respond to their wish.