Deepanker Gupta

Udhampur, February 25

Nikhil Mahajan, brother of Capt Tushar Mahajan, who reached his hometown today, recalled memories from his childhood. He said, “We still cannot believe how my brother grew up to be a brave soldier of the nation.”After reaching New Delhi in the wee hours today, Nikhil took a flight to Jammu and reached Udhampur around noon. As Nikhil met his parents, relatives and friends, they could not control their emotions and burst into tears.“My younger brother aspired to join the Army and serve the nation. He has done an extraordinary job by laying down his life for the nation. I am very proud of him as he attained martyrdom during the gunbattle. I will miss him a lot forever,” said Nikhil.He became emotional while talking about his brother, nicknamed Chhotu. While play games, he used to insist that he would always win and was the dearest to all of them, said Nikhil.Chhotu was very focused on what he intended to do, said Nikhil. He had become the hero of the nation now, said the elder brother. He said they had a telephonic conversation a few days back and he always prayed that Chhotu remained safe.Nikhil was trying to come back home since Sunday night. It was after three days and the intervention of top officers that he was given clearance.